Two new State agencies are beginning the task of revitalising Limerick city's most socially and economically deprived suburbs.
The agencies, based in Moyross and Southill, will co-ordinate plans for the demolition and rebuilding of existing housing estates and will also play a lead role in attracting new jobs to both areas.
Last November, the Government commissioned former Dublin City Manager John Fitzgerald to prepare a report on how crime, social exclusion and economic problems in Moyross and Southill could be tackled.
The two new regeneration agencies the report recommended open their offices today to begin the task of trying to change the face of the estates which have been associated with much of the city's violent feuding and drug-related crime.
The agencies' newly-appointed CEO, Brendan Kenny, says he favours the widespread demolition of the existing sprawling, run-down estates in Moyross and Southill and the rebuilding of dozens of smaller estates with shops and community facilities. And he wants to encourage greater private ownership.
He is to begin consultation with local communities later this week and says he will be seeking support for the regeneration plans rather than imposing them on those who live in the areas.
There are over 2,000 houses in Moyross and Southill; demolition work has already begun in some estates, in others rows of houses have been have been abandoned, boarded up, vandalised or burned out.
