LIMERICK could face a significant shortfall in the delivery of housing for the Mid West region between now and 2050, according to Limerick Chamber’s Budget 2026 submission.
Figures included in the submission from the Housing Commission show that Limerick is expected to deliver 68 to 90 per cent of new housing stock for the Mid West region during this time – between 4,300 and 6,500 per year.
The Sustainable Infrastructure, Sustainable Growth report also predicts the current pace of housing delivery could see a shortfall between 61,000 and 120,000 homes by 2040.
It argues the lack of apartment construction in Limerick raises “broader questions about the appropriateness of current density guidelines”.
Limerick Chamber president Mairead Connolly said that the Mid West is “being left in a holding pattern due to a lack of infrastructure certainty”.
“The cost of inaction is mounting. If we do not front-load investment in sustainable infrastructure now, we will pay far more in the short term in climate penalties and missed opportunities by 2030 and 2050.
“Investing today is the obvious choice, de-risking Ireland’s dependence on third parties and bringing payback for decades both to the country and directly to the Mid West economy,” Mairead added.
The government is being called on by Limerick Chamber to prioritise balanced regional development and support businesses and SMEs, as “Ireland Inc”, the Chamber said, “seeks to reduce reliance on a small number of taxpayers”.
The report states that ambitious investment in sustainable infrastructure is needed, stressing that “a level of ambition on a scale not seen since the development of Ardnacrusha is critically and urgently needed”.
Water infrastructure is also at the fore with suggestions of funding for a programme in the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan area.
As part of the stage one planning for the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project, the report suggests that Budget 2026 mandate an independent taskforce to review the proposed pipeline to assess ecological impacts on the Shannon catchment.
Budget 2026 must also support the design, construction, and signalling of a dual track Limerick Colbert-Limerick Junction, the report explains.
The Chamber requested that investment be pumped into a Limerick-Shannon commuter rail network, new railway stations in Moyross and Ballysimon, and the fast-tracking of Limerick BusConnects.
It also recommends that funding is approved to deliver key road network upgrades on the N21/N69 Foynes to Limerick Road , Mackey Roundabout, N/M20 Cork to Limerick Road, and N19 Shannon Airport Access Road.
Chamber CEO Michelle Gallagher says that Budget 2026 “cannot become another missed opportunity” for the Mid West
“Our submission sets out a clear, actionable plan to ensure infrastructure delivery underpins economic resilience, energy security, and regional equity. Investing in the Mid West now is not just smart policy -it’s smart economics,” she said.
