Chamber wants review on size and scale of apartments in Limerick

LIMERICK Chamber has called on Government to initiate a review into guidelines which govern how high apartments can rise - and the size and scale of other homes.

Ten percent of people in Limerick live in apartment accommodation, below the national average of 12%.

Now, the largest business group in the region, believes the increased cost of building, and the housing crisis should spark a fresh look at the rules around the size and scale of housing developments.

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A submission sent to ministers by the Chamber ahead of Budget 2026 states: “The lack of apartment construction in Limerick and similar cities raises broader questions about the appropriateness of current density guidelines. Oftentimes we see the only entities in a position to purchase these homes are either State entities or Approved Housing Bodies. While developers are obligated to adhere to these density standards, rising costs often mean the land might be better utilised for other forms of housing to ensure a more appropriate tenure mix.”

Limerick Chamber says next year’s budget - announced on October 7 - should “prioritise a comprehensive review of density guidelines for Limerick and smaller cities to align them with local economic and social realities.”

For its part, the council has already stated in its own development plan that it wants to see an increase in the scale and extent of apartment development, particularly close to urban centres.

Limerick Chamber has also called for the fast-tracking of housing projects being delivered by the Land Development Agency.

This is a State agency charged with building affordable homes on publicly owned or acquired land.

Among the projects it is working on in the city centre is a new housing estate at the former gasworks site in O’Curry Street.

Also in relation to the housing crisis, Limerick Chamber believes Budget 2026 should provide funding for water and waste water facilities across the city and county and that developers should also be allowed to build their own waste water treatment plants.

The proposal comes as some builders are struggling to get housing projects off the ground due in many cases to an area’s current sewage system being overwhelmed.

Tax reliefs should be given to developers who wish to build on brownfield sites, said the submission. These are patches of land which have been previously developed but are now vacant, derelict, or underutilised.

Elsewhere in its pre-budget submission, the Chamber has called for a corporation tax cut for sectors of the economy where an increase in skills, it is felt, are needed.

Investment in the education and training infrastructure across the region to ensure a pipeline of skilled staff to work in sectors like energy, construction, health and transport should also be provided for, the Chamber says.

Income tax cuts should be brought about on middle-income earners, the group argues.

And retailers who face disruption to trade due to “unforeseen developments” such as the overrun of public realm works should be given a commercial rate cut.

As for landlords who leave commercial units vacant, the Chamber wants to see an end to exemptions to the full fee, feeling these incentivise empty shops.

Chamber wants an immediate upgrade to Limerick Prison, and for the courts service to be given funding to hire private security around the neighbouring courthouse.

This, they feel, would mean gardai can be sent back to the city’s streets.

“Budget 2026 cannot become another missed opportunity,” warned Chamber chief executive Michelle Gallagher.

“Our submission sets out a clear, actionable plan to ensure infrastructure delivery underpins economic resilience, energy security, and regional equity. Investing in the Mid-West now is not just smart policy - it’s smart economics.”