Mayor John Moran prioritizes housing, urban development, and community projects
Limerick Mayor John Moran has announced the initial spending plans for his 2025 Mayoral Fund. Due to the office being established in mid-2024, the central government has made a one-time funding adjustment, allowing unspent 2024 funds to roll over into 2025.
This carryover, combined with a new €7 million allocation for 2025, brings the total available budget to €10.5 million, with €310,000 already assigned from last year.
Following national government spending structures, the budget is split into €2.75 million for operational costs and €7.75 million for capital projects. While these allocations are subject to change as projects develop, they highlight the key priorities set for 2025.
Balancing priorities and innovation in Limerick’s 2025 budget
Mayor of Limerick John Moran clarified: “In setting the priorities for 2025, I had two guiding principles.” He explained that the first focus is on advancing the #MoreforLimerick programme that is ready to move forward in 2025, thanks to the groundwork laid before last year’s election and efforts in the latter half of 2024. While not all projects from the programme can be funded immediately, he emphasized that prioritization was necessary due to budget constraints, with an emphasis on securing additional external funding where possible.
“I have also tried to allocate funding to ideas which I consider to be transformative pilots,” he added. These pilot initiatives, he said, aim to test innovative solutions tailored to Limerick’s unique needs rather than applying a blanket national approach. By proving their effectiveness and value for money in 2025, Moran hopes to unlock further funding for these initiatives over the course of his term.
Additional funding and future plans for Limerick
Limerick City and County Council also plans on utilizing other funding sources to support key projects throughout the year. The budget approved last November outlines over €750 million in capital spending for 2025.
When setting priorities for the Mayoral Fund, the main focus was ensuring each project aligned with the #MoreForLimerick programme, which was shaped by discussions with councillors and the public last year. “Provided similar funds are released from central government, it is my intention to focus on expanding the list of items in future years,” said Mayor Moran.
Key Allocations from Limerick’s 2025 Mayoral Fund
Housing Initiatives (€3.6M)
- SMART homes (€1.3M): Funding for rapid-build transitional housing to address rising demand.
- Other housing (€2.3M): Projects to open new land for development and test innovative housing models, such as repurposing derelict homes in Abbeyfeale.
Urban Development (€2.8M)
- City and town spaces (€1.1M): Pilot projects to improve public spaces.
- City centre amenities (€1.7M): Revitalization efforts, including exploring new uses for vacant buildings like the Royal Cinema.
Culture, Heritage & Community (€2.6M)
- Festivals & activities (€325K): Expanding cultural events based on public demand.
- Heritage assets (€1.2M): Supporting retail businesses and long-overdue repairs to historic sites.
- Kings Island (€700K): Community and enterprise projects in a disadvantaged area.
- County heritage (€365K): Leveraging funds for state-owned heritage sites in Rathkeale and Kilmallock.
Public Amenities & Services (€1.8M)
- Amenity projects (€560K): Green space improvements, including €200K for Garryowen’s St. Patrick’s Well garden.
- Enhanced service delivery (€625K): Additional resources for key initiatives, including health projects with the HSE and WHO.
- Previous 2024 allocations (€315K): Funds used for community grants, festivals, public maintenance, and a design review for Moyross state lands.