The boss of Limerick Regeneration, Brendan Kenny, has undergone a round of tough questioning from county Clare councillors; seeking further reassurance his organisation has no intentions to emigrate disadvantaged Limerick residents to Clare.

The agency Chief Executive, responding during the two hour meeting, said: "There is no policy, no strategy on the relocation of residents from Moyross, St Mary's Park, Southill anywhere else: not to Clare, not to County Limerick, not to Mayo, which is another one I heard recently.

-- Advertisement --

"A lot of people in these areas at first said to us they wanted out. Now having seen the plan and the excitement it has generated, they have new hope and want to stay.

"We're not buying houses anywhere and we won't be. There's enough land in the (regeneration) areas to provide 4,000 houses on top of what's there already," said Mr Kenny.

Officials in Clare have raised concerns over, what they have dubbed, "problem families" moving into Shannon, Clonlara and the Clare suburbs on the north of the city.

However, Mr Kenny said their dispute was with Limerick City Council and the HSE.

Around 17 homes in Westbury, Carrig Midhe and Clonlara have been bought by Limerick City Council, in a practice which Mr Kenny said was not sustainable in the long run.

Specialist housing has been designated for problematic families, according to Mr Kenny, who reaffirmed the regeneration agency's commitment to its remit area.

He said: "The region needs to make a greater contribution to the problems of Limerick City regardless of how they came about."

(PR/JM)