176 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received the master plan and area D plan relating to Hollyhill-Knocknaheeny from Cork City Council; and when he will sanction and approve the plans. [5207/02]

Cork City Council has submitted a regeneration master plan for the Hollyhill-Knocknaheeny area to my Department in which it is proposed to construct 337 new housing units, refurbish 514 existing local authority houses and demolish 88 houses. The provision of a range of community, health and other social facilities is also involved. The area D plan represents one particular area in Knocknaheeny. The overall cost of the master plan is estimated at slightly more than €200 million.

My Department and Cork City Council met at official level on 13 February to discuss a number of issues relating to the plan. These require further consideration which will be facilitated by a meeting scheduled for April by which time more developed proposals for area D will be presented.

My Department supports in principle the regeneration of the Knocknaheeny area, and a decision on the overall master plan proposals and the precise elements of the regeneration programme will be made when the matter has been comprehensively examined.