Multi-million euro housing boost for Limerick

A MAJOR new housing scheme for Limerick has been given funding by Government.

As part of a visit to Limerick on Friday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Housing Minister James Browne announced €6.5m has been made available to begin the construction of new accommodation on the city’s northside.

Limerick City and County Council has joined up with approved housing body Clúid to deliver 50 homes at Knockhill, off the Ennis Road.

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Some 32 of the 50 will be social housing, designed for people on the council’s waiting list.

Twelve of them will be cost rental homes - designed to provide affordable rents to people on middle incomes.

The other six will be designated as affordable homes.

Again, these provide people on middle incomes the opportunity to buy houses at a lower rate to the private market.

Separately, developers will deliver 42 homes on the remainder of the land for private buyers.

Deputy Browne said: “I am delighted to be in a position to announce funding for new homes in Limerick. I understand the affordable homes will be coming on stream shortly and the social and cost rental homes will be delivered in the first half of next year. This funding reflects the importance we place on delivering more homes of all types and tenures in Limerick.”

The Taoiseach and Housing Minister were also in Limerick to meet with John Moran in relation to his mayoral programme for the city and county.

They met in City Hall with local TD, the Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan to discuss Mayor Moran’s blueprint, which aims to tackle the housing crisis in Limerick.

It’s the first time a forum between the Government’s top brass and the directly elected mayor has taken place in a forum like this.

The Taoiseach said there were a number of items up for discussion which impact on the lives of people in Limerick, particularly housing and regional growth.

“This forum will provide an invaluable mechanism for central government to engage with Mayor John Moran, Ireland’s first directly elected mayor on the various opportunities and challenges facing the region,” he added.

Mayor Moran said: “To keep progressing our actions contained within the mayoral programme, regularly meeting with members of Government will be key.” The forum is to sit twice yearly, and will be chaired by Deputy Browne, along with other ministers and the mayor.