The Irish Government has been criticised over "dragging its feet" in regards to the next stages of the regeneration scheme in Limerick.

Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea has called out over fears that "the axe is coming down" on the cost of Limerick Regeneration Programme.

Twenty-six projects-mainly housing developments- with an investment total of €337 will be delivered under phase one of the programme, it is estimated that this will take four and a half years to complete.

After years of demolition, construction started at the first new housing development in Cliona Park, Moyross, a number of months ago. This development is the first of 26 planned projects.

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But O’Dea said it appears as if the Government plan to "recalibrate and re-define the boundaries" of the massive scheme, and fears the upcoming Budget in December may level another blow to the plan.

According to the Limerick Leader Mr O’Dea recently asked the Minister for the Environment, Willie Penrose, when the Government would reply to the proposals from Limerick City Council concerning alterations to the Regeneration master plan.

"I received a typical civil service vacuous reply from Minister of State Penrose. I got no definite timeline and no specifics in reply to my question, just a lot of waffle. It is obvious that the Government are dragging their feet on this issue to the detriment of the communities concerned,"said Mr O’Dea.

"The axe is coming down, but how heavily I don’t know," he added.

Despite Mr O’Dea’s concerns over funding a spokesperson has said that "all the funding for their next 25 projects are secure".

The first project , currently underway, employs 71 people and construction of the units is expected to cost €4.7m and has a completion target of 15 months.

(LB)