NI Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie will visit Shannon today to meet with regeneration experts.

The Minister is on a fact-finding mission to examine housing and urban regeneration in the Republic of Ireland. 



Ms Ritchie is expected to meet top executives of Shannon Development to discuss the benefits of the organisation's approach to broad based, comprehensive regeneration.

Established in 1959 as the Shannon Free Airport Development Company, Shannon Development's mission is to promote economic growth in the Western region. 



The minister will also meet with the Chief Executive of the Limerick Regeneration Agencies and discuss the plans for the Moyross Housing Estate on the Northside of Limerick and other estates on the Southside of the City.

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These estates have experienced serious social problems and high profile criminal activity over many years.

In 2007 two special purpose Government Agencies for the Southside and Northside of Limerick City were established to plan and implement comprehensive Master Plans for the area.

Minister Ritchie said: "I am primarily concerned with providing enough housing for Northern Ireland’s population and am keen to learn from the work that is going on in the South."

"Today I will be briefed by the Limerick Regeneration Agencies, set up by the Government to address the social and housing problems facing people living in the Northside and Southside of Limerick City."

"I will also meet Shannon Development - the government owned regional development company dedicated to promoting and developing the Shannon Region in the West of Ireland."

"Shannon Development has epitomised the comprehensive, joined-up approach to regeneration that I have set for my own Department," added the minister. 




(PR/JM)