INDEPENDENT councillor Ursula Gavan called on Limerick City and County Council to embark on a major apprenticeship programme to restore direct Council services.
The Council released local figures showing that it employs only 25 tradespeople in housing maintenance for the whole city and county, including just one painter.
Commenting on the low numbers employed, Cllr Gavan said that “our council needs to take the lead towards value for money, efficiency, and accountability by bringing services such as plumbing, electrical, and painters in-house”.
“We have spent €5.43million in 2024 and project €5.3m this year for outsourced services, yet waiting lists for works are extending and local authority residents are incredibly frustrated.”
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
The Limerick City East representative said that tenants remain at the whim of the private market and the quality of many of these outsourced services leaves a lot to be desired.
“We can eliminate expensive call out fees and fluctuating contractor rates and delays by bringing these services in-house,” she said.
The Council recently announced that it is to commence a new plumbing apprenticeship but Cllr Gavan is calling for a more ambitious programme of insourcing of key housing and maintenance services.
“Our Council should build a plan to move away from expensive outsourcing by launching apprenticeship schemes across a wide range of skill sets. Apart from improving service delivery such a programme would help to tackle the skill shortage, reduce delays in works and offer full time secure jobs in the local community,” Cllr Gavan concluded.