Modular homes, safety wardens, a fashion museum and dog parks are among Mayor John Moran’s plans for Limerick.
Ireland’s first directly elected mayor has a €10.5 million fund this year to kick-start or progress a raft of projects for the city and county.
On Wednesday Mr Moran announced preliminary spending allocations for 2025.
One of his key ideas is the delivery of modular homes on State land to ease pressure on the housing supply in Limerick while permanent solutions are developed.
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These have been dubbed “smart homes” or short-term modular, affordable, rental, transition homes.
The mayor’s five-year programme includes plans to lobby for funding and permission for a pilot to deliver up to 1,000 such units.
Some €1.3 million from the mayoral fund has been set aside to progress the proposals.
Mr Moran said it is “one of the most transformational things that we can do this year if we can find a way to crack this”.
About €300,000 is to be spent on salaries and other costs, including feasibility studies, to “prove that the concept works” and help to attract external funding.
Mr Moran said there is an “openness” within Government to the proposals.
A further €1 million could go towards securing or activating land for the project. Up to 18 possible sites have been identified in Limerick city.
Mr Moran expressed hope that some of the homes could be ready in time for the 2027 Ryder Cup, which will be held at Adare Manor. They could be used for the temporary influx of people then and as rental accommodation after that, he said.
Ultimately, funding for the large-scale modular homes project could run into the billions, he said.
Mr Moran said the €10.5 million in the mayoral fund is “modest” compared to the overall budget of Limerick City and County Council.
There is some €3.6 million overall for housing-related projects. This includes about €75,000 to develop a legal structure to finance and repurpose derelict buildings into affordable rental homes.
Some €230,000 is being allocated to hire community safety wardens, with €130,000 of this coming from the Department of Justice.
Up to five wardens could be hired once the Department of Local Government gives final approval for the plan.
He said they would not arrest people or intervene in incidents but would have a “hotline” to the Garda and be “extra eyes on the streets of Limerick”.
There are also plans for a “fashion museum and incubator” to be located in the derelict Garda station on King’s Island.
Approximately €500,000 has been allocated to prevent the further deterioration of the building and to prepare a business case to save the premises and complete the project.
There is €100,000 earmarked for the preparation of a business case for the redevelopment of the Royal Cinema, which Mr Moran said could be reopened as a “retro cinema” or performance space.
Some €130,000 has been allocated for dog parks in the county.
Christmas decorations for the city and Kilmallock are to be funded to the tune of €50,000, while there is €125,000 for a Christmas Market in the city centre.
