'Houses can't keep up with new jobs in Limerick'

A SENIOR executive at telecoms firm, Verizon - which has announced a massive investment in Limerick - has warned “houses cannot keep up” with jobs being created in the city.

Kieran Scannell, the company’s Limerick site lead and senior director for global procurement, added that eventually “this will
come home to roost”.

“It’s a big problem. We are very engaged with the council and local groups looking into it. Anything that can be done to encourage private development and encourage government aid to help the housing situation is really needed,” Mr Scannell said.

He was speaking to Limerick Live after Verizon picked up the bi-monthly Limerick City Tidy Towns award in recognition of the fact 40 of its staff members helped on a clean-up of the area.

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Mr Scannell revealed Verizon is well on its way to recruiting the 400 staff which it announced for its global centre of excellence.

“We are very happy with the recruitment side of things. We are on track to meet our goal of 310 staff by the end of the year. We are at 260 at the moment,” he said.

Currently, Verizon is operating from three temporary offices in the city centre - the historic Bishop’s Palace building in Henry Street, plus bases at 5 Shannon Street and 12 Henry Street.

But it’s hoped in the early part of 2025, all of its staff will be under one roof at the new 1BQ development, where Verizon has taken eight floors.

“The first wave of staff is going to be 400. That’s all we can say for now. Maybe there will be more decisions down the line and more may come.”

He praised the support the firm has received since it moved into Limerick last Christmas.

One of the reasons Limerick was chosen is due to the fact there are seven colleges within a 90-minute drive, he added.