Taoiseach and Ministers attend inaugural Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum
- Foilsithe: 28 Márta 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
- forum will facilitate engagement between Mayor and national government
- €6.5 million also announced for new homes at Knockhill, Ennis Road
The first meeting of the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum took place in Limerick City and Council offices in Limerick today (Friday 28 March). Chaired by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the meeting was attended by Mayor John Moran, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, and Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan.
Commenting today, the Taoiseach said:
“This first meeting of the Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum is a very significant moment, and I am delighted to chair this inaugural gathering.
“Today’s forum has a number of important items for discussion that impact on the lives of the people of Limerick, including housing and regional growth. This forum will provide an invaluable mechanism for central government to engage with the Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, Ireland’s first directly elected mayor, on the various opportunities and challenges facing the region.”
Established under the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, the Consultative Forum will play a key role in facilitating engagement between the Mayor and national government, in particular on proposed legislation and government policy initiatives and its impacts for Limerick.
While visiting Limerick, the Taoiseach and Minister Browne also announced government approval of almost €6.5 million in funding for construction to start on a mixed tenure scheme at Knockhill, Ennis Road, Limerick. A collaboration between the Clúid Approved Housing Body and Limerick County Council, the scheme will provide 50 homes - 32 social homes, 12 cost rental homes and 6 affordable purchase homes. There will also be a further 42 homes for delivery as private homes on the site.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne said:
“I am delighted to be in a position today to announce funding for new homes in Limerick. I understand that the affordable purchase homes will be coming on stream shortly and that 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 and, appropriately, housing is one of the key issues we are discussing today at the forum.
“The Forum itself is a significant democratic innovation in terms of engagement between central and local government, and I look forward to working with the Mayor and Limerick City and County Council through this structure. Today’s Forum agenda featured a wide range of policy areas for discussion, including regional growth, housing delivery, and local government reform. On behalf of central government, my department will play a leading role in coordinating and facilitating the work of the Forum, and I believe that the people of Limerick will benefit from the collaboration it allows for."
The Forum will also advise and make recommendations on the future development of the role, including any new and additional functions, and funding, for assignment to the Mayor. In addition, the Forum will review and advise on how the new Mayoral functions and office structures are operating.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, commented:
“I welcome the Taoiseach and other Ministers and their teams to Limerick for the Forum. To keep progressing our actions contained within the Mayoral Programme, regularly meeting with members of Government will be key. Today’s meeting allowed us in Limerick City & County Council to give an overview of our priorities in Limerick.
“I also got to identify key projects which need to be unblocked. I welcome the commitment of An Taoiseach and other Ministers and government bodies, which will help us to find ways to drive forward in housing and other key areas. With challenges come great opportunities and with this forum we have the chance to continue to build momentum for our vision for a more liveable, more prosperous and more, healthy Limerick.”
Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan added:
“Limerick is the first county with a directly elected Mayor in Ireland. I look forward to engaging with and supporting this Forum to maximise its potential for the people of Limerick."
While the Taoiseach chaired today’s inaugural meeting, the Consultative Forum will meet twice yearly with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage as Chair, along with other Ministers of the government and the Mayor.
Further information
Directly Elected Mayor for Limerick
In May 2019, the people of Limerick city and county voted in favour of a proposal for a directly elected Mayor with executive functions.
Following his election, John Moran became the first directly elected Mayor in Ireland and took up office on 14 June 2024, taking on a range of executive functions, at a strategic or policy level, in a range of areas, including strategic development, housing and building, road transport and safety, and environmental services.
Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum
The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 provides for the establishment of new governance arrangements and structures, including a Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum, which will meet twice yearly, and consists of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage (as Chair), other Ministers of the government and the Mayor. The Taoiseach will chair the inaugural meeting of the Consultative Forum.
The Forum will consider and make recommendations to the Minister in relation to:
- issues arising from the establishment of the office of Mayor or the operation of the Act
- additional functions to be conferred to facilitate the effective operation of the office of Mayor
- the impact for Limerick of proposed legislation or government policy
- any other matter relating to Limerick City and County Council, and
- the funding of Limerick City and County Council for the purpose of these matters
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will provide secretarial and administrative support services for the Consultative Forum, along with advice or research services, as necessary.