THE CHIEF executive of Limerick Regeneration Agencies has cast doubt on whether he will remain on within the project in a proposed new role once his current contract runs out in June, despite reassurances from the Government yesterday that it is “committed” to the plan.
With not one house completed under Limerick Regeneration, launched five years ago, further promises were made yesterday by Minister of State for Housing and Planning Jan O’Sullivan about the construction phase of the project.
However, with no firm date on when the first house will be finished, Brendan Kenny, chief executive of Limerick Regeneration Agencies, said it was out of his control when asked if he would continue working on the initiative.
“Well to be honest I just don’t know what the position is. That’s out of my control.” When pushed on the matter, Mr Kenny said: “It all depends. The emphasis at the moment is to try and make sure that the momentum continues and that progress continues, and to keep the structures going. My own position is for another day.”
Mr Kenny has been seen as the driving force behind the project, without whom, many feel, regeneration would be even further delayed.
Yesterday, Ms O’Sullivan announced that a new regeneration office would be established, replacing the current regeneration agency offices, and an office at Limerick City Council.
It is felt Mr Kenny would top the list for the manager’s position at the new office. However, he would not comment on who might fill the role. The office will be launched once Limerick City Council and Limerick County Council are amalgamated in the coming months.
The Government was committed to regeneration and was committed to funding it, said Ms O’Sullivan adding: “We do want to fast-track, in particular, the housing and physical regeneration side of it.”
Despite also announcing funding of €4.2 million for a further 100 homes in regeneration areas, it remained unclear when construction would begin. Ms O’Sullivan could not give any assurances as to when another 29 homes for older people in Vizes Court, in the city, would be built.
“I suppose I can’t give a definite commitment because we don’t know how the planning process is going to go but we will be able to provide the funding to start building the Vizes Court one straight away and to move the rest of the projects on in the planning process.”
She said she hoped to achieve “around €50 million” for regeneration this year.