I welcome the announcement of Budget 2025, which brings significant opportunities for our community in Limerick.
As Mayor, I am delighted to see how well the new allocated funding aligns with our vision in Limerick for a more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future as outlined in my Mayoral Programme.
I have advocated in recent weeks for additional funds to be allocated primarily to infrastructure and housing, thereby enhancing the long-term development of Limerick City and County. I was therefore delighted to see such a large share of the budget surplus of €23-24 billion allocated to strategic investments in our state’s infrastructure.
My programme calls for innovative solutions to housing and infrastructure challenges, and we look forward to collaborating with Government Ministers, and other national and local players, to implement these strategies effectively.
I particularly welcome the €1.6bn for public transport measures, including expansion of Bus Connects, connecting Ireland and town services arrangements and funding the N21/69 Limerick to Foynes Road and Coonagh to Knockalisheen Distributor Road.
As a county with poor water infrastructure, the overall allocation of €1.7bn to Uisce Éireann in 2025 plus an additional equity investment of €1bn is especially welcome as an extra source of funding to support the ongoing discussions we have with Uisce Éireann.
Finally, at a time of critical decisions for Colbert Quarter, the additional €1.25bn allocated to the Land Development Agency (LDA) is very welcome along with record levels of investment to housing provision generally.
The decisions of the Government now provide the funding for concrete steps to be taken to equalise the level of capital investments on both sides of the country. Let there be no doubt about it, Limerick is open for business and working hard to progress projects so that can be achieved.
John Moran
Mayor of Limerick