Government Minister Willie O'Dea has visited the Dock Road site of the new Limerick Greyhound Stadium.

Mr O'Dea was accompanied by Irish Greyhound Board Chairman Dick O'Sullivan.

The Minister was taken through the work done to date on filling the site and the plans for the stadium.

The tender period for the main contractors on the multi million euro project closed on Friday and contractors are expected to be on site within weeks.

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It is expected the project will generate 250 new construction jobs through to its completion in September 2010, and 100 permanent jobs in the long term.

The new stadium will have a capacity of 2,900 and host an estimated 1,700 greyhound races each year.

"There is no doubt that the next few years will be challenging, but the Limerick project is a cornerstone of our long term ambition for the sport of greyhound racing and its support of nearly 11,000 jobs in Ireland," said Mr O’Sullivan.

"The capital funds established during recent years are being invested wisely for the long term benefit of the sport and the industry."

He added: "These will be supplemented in this instance by the savings generated by relocating our head office from the city centre to the new stadium."

(PR/JM)