€9 million fund to tackle dereliction in Limerick City

Limerick City secures €9 million funding to tackle dereliction

Limerick City secures €9 million to continue tackling long-term vacancy and dereliction in the city

The funding is part of a new €150 million Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF) introduced by the Government under the Housing for All plan.

The allocation to Limerick’s local authority is the highest outside of Dublin. Dublin City Council was awarded €10 million while Waterford City and County Council also received €9 million.

Limerick City and County Council is one of the most pro-active in the country in terms of using its powers under the Derelict Sites Act, 1990, to bring derelict and vacant houses back into use.

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In 2018, the Council established a dedicated Dereliction, Vacancy & Re-Use Unit within the Property Management Department. This has built up experience in working with owners to bring their properties back to uses that are more productive.

Since 2019, the Council has completed over 5,200 inspections on derelict and vacant properties in Limerick. This has resulted in over 1,600 statutory notices being served on property owners under the Derelict Sites Act.

The Council has completed the compulsory acquisition of 170 derelict and vacant properties in the past four years.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell welcomed the funding boost: “The level of funding being provided is an acknowledgement that Limerick City and County Council is setting an example when it comes to tackling dereliction. This funding will allow the Council to continue their good work, bringing vacant and derelict properties back into use. This work is helping to revitalise communities, bringing buildings back to life and providing much needed housing.”

Head of Property Management Department at Limerick City and County Council, Jayne Leahy said: “This funding represents an exciting step forward for Limerick City and County Council. The funding will allow for increased support to re-activate vacant and derelict properties in Limerick. Our main focus will be on properties that are already residential in nature or have potential for residential occupation going forward. It is intended that properties acquired under this scheme will be brought back to the market for future development.”

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