22/07/2008

Housing Minister Fact-Finding In Shannon

A fact-finding mission to examine housing and urban regeneration in the Republic of Ireland got underway this week when the NI Housing Minister Margaret Ritchie visited the Shannon area to meet with regeneration experts.

Ms Ritchie met 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. 



She 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.

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."

"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)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 December 2005
Listed Ormeau Road block gets £1.4m restoration
An historic Georgian terrace on Belfast's Ormeau Road has a new life as an office block. The building, opposite the former North of Ireland cricket grounds, was originally private housing but was later headquarters for the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) before suffering from vandalism and fire damage.
06 August 2015
Crumlin Social Housing Scheme Opened
A new social housing scheme of three and four bedroom houses has been officially opened in Crumlin. The fourteen new homes for families on the social housing waiting list, is owned and managed by Habinteg Housing Association who funded the build, with support from the Department for Social Development.
05 March 2003
Study to reshape Belfast city centre launched
NIO Minister Des Browne has today announced the start of a review of Belfast city's regeneration policy following the adoption of the Victoria Square Development Scheme last month. The GB-based consultancy, G V A Grimley, has been engaged to conduct the research and is expected to report to the Department by the end of April.
23 July 2010
'Don't Steal Shannon Water' Says Limerick
There have been calls for an examination of the environmental and economic consequences of Dublin City Council's plans to draw water supplies from the River Shannon. The development of a major reservoir and waterway, fed by the River Shannon, (see: Shannon To Be Harnessed For Water Supply) has not been universally welcomed.
22 June 2016
Police In Armagh Appeal For Missing Shannon Wiltshire
Police in Armagh are appealing for help to trace missing Shannon Wiltshire. She was last seen on Tuesday, 21 June, in the Armagh area. Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.