Fresh hope for Ballina’s Parkside after Minister’s commitment

Minister’s promise gives new hope to Parkside


Anna-Marie Flynn

BALLINA-based Junior Minister, Dara Calleary (pictured) has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the regeneration of St Patrick’s Estate – almost a year after the allocation of €12.9 million was announced.
Despite the fact that Minister for Housing, Michael Finneran, visited Ballina to confirm almost €13 million was sanctioned for a complete over-haul of the residential area on January 30 this year, little has been done to progress the project any further in the months since that date.
The on-going delay with the project has been an issue for residents throughout the summer, and has gained momentum again in recent weeks with Residents Association representatives calling for a start to the work as soon as possible. Residents told The Mayo News they are fearful the grant will be withdrawn due to the current economic climate and on-going cutbacks within the programme for government.
However, last week local  Fianna FΡil TD and Minister for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary re-affirmed the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government’s commitment to the €12.9 million regeneration of St Patrick’s Estate in Ballina.
Minister Calleary told The Mayo News he received written confirmation of the Government’s commitment to the project from Minister Finneran in the past week.
“I am pleased that the Department has re-affirmed its commitment to the regeneration of St Patrick’s Estate. I fully understand and appreciate the concerns and frustrations of the residents that have festered over the course of the last couple of months but they can rest assured that this project will now advance as quickly as possible,” said Minister Calleary.
While there have been on-going issues with the tender process, the Minister has said the development should now commence as soon as possible. 
“This project has a huge level of support from the local community and I now call upon Mayo County Council to commence the project without any further delay,” he said.