The Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage of the funding allocation for the Directly Elected Mayor for 2026.
In correspondence issued to Limerick City and County Council, the Department confirmed a total allocation of €14.709 million for 2026 to support the Mayoral Office and the delivery of agreed mayoral priorities.
The allocation comprises of €14.089 million for the Mayoral Fund, including current and capital funding.
The Department also confirmed that the baseline Mayoral Fund allocation increases by €1 million in 2026, rising from €7 million in 2025 to €8 million in 2026, alongside a revised 40/60 current-to-capital split.
Mayor Moran said:
“2026 has to be the year of momentum for Limerick. This funding gives us the certainty to now turn plans into visible progress particularly in areas like housing, so that people can see delivery on the ground.”
The Mayor emphasised that this investment directly supports the pillars of his programme:
- A More Liveable Limerick: Supporting vibrant communities, public realm improvements, and better local services.
- A More Prosperous Limerick: Driving economic development, business supports, and strategic capital projects.
- A More Healthy Limerick: Investing in amenities, active travel, and initiatives that improve physical and mental wellbeing.
The 2026 figures reflect a technical capital allocation adjustment rather than a direct carryover. An amount equivalent to €6,089,000 of unspent capital funding from 2025, which could not be invoiced within that year, will be made available in 2026 through a technical adjustment in the Revised Estimates Volume, as there was no facility for a capital carryover. In addition, the baseline annual allocation increases by €1 million, alongside the surrender of €1.1 million in unspent current funding in line with Exchequer rules. This once-off adjustment was secured following negotiations by the Mayor to avoid the loss of capital funding and reflects the Department’s recognition of the delivery challenges experienced during the transition to the directly elected mayor model. It has been made clear, however, that no similar arrangement will be available from 2026 to 2027. Accordingly, a strong focus on delivery will be a priority in the early months of 2026.
Mayor Moran said:
“I want to sincerely thank the Government, and Minister Browne in particular, for once again backing Limerick’s ambition. This funding ensures that our city and county can continue delivering on the vision I have set out - making Limerick more liveable, more prosperous, and more healthy for every person who calls it home.
The continued commitment from Government gives us the certainty we need to push ahead with transformative projects in 2026. I am deeply grateful for their ongoing support and partnership.”
The Department has noted that, in line with Exchequer rules, all funding allocated for 2026 must be drawn down within the year, with no expectation of further exceptional arrangements.
Mayor Moran added:
“The focus now is on delivery, aligning funding with projects that are ready to proceed and ensuring that the resources confirmed for 2026 translate into tangible outcomes for communities across Limerick.”