Crisis Meeting Called for Limerick’s Regeneration Plan

A crisis meeting will be held over concerns regarding the Limerick Regeneration programme.

A number of councillors have expressed concerns over the programme's prioritising of projects outside the "red-line".

At this month's metropolitan district meeting, Cllr Sarah Kiely referred to an answer given by Fine Gael Cllr Stephen Keary at the previous month's meeting. Keary had provided details of various estates that will receive regeneration funds despite them being outside the area most in need of redevelopment.

"Why are we spending money outside of Regeneration and not helping the people who need it most?" asked Cllr Kiely. "The people who stuck it out and waited and are still waiting for upgrades, basic necessities promised year after year now. We do not know why decisions are being made that housing developments outside the red line are being funded through Regeneration."

Kiely called for a crisis meeting to be held, a notion seconded by Cllr Catherine Slattery.

"Regeneration on the southside is just a joke, and I don't use that word lightly," said Slattery. "I have people contacting me still waiting on thermal upgrades. Any time I contact the council, I'm told it will be next quarter. It's not good enough for these people. Two years will fly by, and we will need to pick up the pieces after this."

"Time is running out, and we need to take stock of where we are now, and where we will be when it is over," added Cllr Sharon Benson. "There's a lot of stuff that has not been delivered on."

"I'm concerned about units being knocked in certain areas particularly Pineview Gardens," said Cllr John Costelloe. "We need to sit down with Regeneration and see where we are going. We've two years left in this process and it's failed us thus far."