Planning for the future makes good sense for Limerick – Byrne

Limerick City and County is going to benefit from significant investment thanks to the Government’s new big vision plan, Project Ireland 2040, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Limerick Senator, Maria Byrne, was speaking ahead of the Taoiseach’s planned visit on Friday.

“Project Ireland 2040 is going to support families and strengthen communities across Limerick and will ensure sustainable growth for the future of the county. This is the first time in the history of the State that we have a proper spatial planning backed by real investment, which makes sense for Limerick as well as the rest of the country.

“The National Planning Framework which forms part of Project Ireland 2040 sets out how Ireland can grow in a sustainable, balanced fashion over the next twenty years. Fifty per cent of population growth is planned for our towns, villages and rural communities and 50% for our cities. Project Ireland 2040 is backed and supported up by a €115bn National Development Plan.

“Our population is expected to have increased to six million people by 2040 and, without any State intervention, this will result in ongoing shift in population and jobs towards Dublin and the neighbouring counties. We must instead focus on growing cities like Limerick and the mid-west region.

“The M20 Limerick-Cork road forms a significant part of Project 2040 and it will bring huge benefits to commuters and businesses in the region. Other road projects that will improve connectivity and efficiency and support urban renewal in Limerick, include, the Coonagh to Knockalisheen road development project, the N21 / N 69 Limerick to Adare to Foynes, and the Shannon Crossing / Killaloe Bypass / R494 upgrade.

“The Shannon Group Investment Programme will see a significant investment of €150m through its capital programme to 2022 which will be great for the development of the region.  This funding will be used to develop Shannon Group’s property portfolio, and the construction of a hangar at Shannon Airport all of which will hugely assist developing its tourist attractions. Almost €108 million has been allocated to Fáilte Ireland nationally for capital investment in Tourism Product Development and they will continue to invest in the priority areas that will deliver sustainable growth in the Irish tourism sector resulting in higher revenue and more jobs.

“Two billion euro, under the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government will support development in our five cities and other large urban centres and the Limerick 2030 initiative is just one example of a project that has the potential to receive support from this fund.

“Continued investment in the Limerick Regeneration Programme will see the completion of the works identified in the 2013 Limerick Regeneration Framework Implementation Plan, with the delivery of some 400 new homes and the upgrading of 900 homes across the areas of Moyross, Southill, Ballinacurra Weston and St Mary’s Park. A programme of social and economic initiatives for Limerick will also be advanced over the coming years.

“The Government has committed to delivering approximately 3,500 additional social homes between  2016-2021 across the mid-west region. Of the over 1,200 additional social housing units in current delivery, specific examples include projects in Limerick City 12 new homes, and Lisheen Park, Patrickswell 16 new homes. The regeneration programme for target areas in Limerick City will also continue, including major new housing projects such as Churchfield 80 new homes, St. Mary’s Park 19 new homes, Cosgrave Park 30 new homes and Palm Court 27 new homes.

“Additional infrastructural investment will see the inclusion of Limerick City and its environs in a large flood relief scheme as part of the National Development Plan.

“These are just some examples of the upcoming investment in Limerick, which will also include significant funding for the development of our health and education services.

“This sustainable planning for Limerick, backed by real investment, will support families and strengthen communities here. With Project Ireland 2040, Fine Gael is ensuring sustainable growth for the future of Limerick. What’s good for Limerick is also good for the surrounding region.”