AN AGREEMENT has been reached on an interim funding solution to keep Limerick’s community CCTV network operational for 2026, amid growing fears that cuts to the service would result in it being either wound down or shut down completely.
In an effort to protect public safety and jobs, Mayor of Limerick John Moran has agreed to reallocate part of the Mayoral budget to ensure that the CCTV remains operational next year.
The decision was made following a meeting between the Mayor with Minister for Housing James Browne, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Minister of State Niall Collins in Leinster House this week.
All parties acknowledged that the Mayoral Fund was not designed to carry core public-safety infrastructure costs but that no departmental funding stream currently exists to take this on at this point in time.
Up to now the CCTV network, excluding CCTV that is exclusively owned and operated by An Garda SÃochána, has been funded with Limerick City and County Council (LCCC) and regeneration funding.
With the planned drawing to an end of the ‘Limerick Regeneration Plan Implementation Framework’, which was funded over the last decade by the Department of Housing, a model supported by relevant funding departments and agencies is required to place the programme on a more sustainable long-term footing.
The Minister for Housing confirmed government support for the Mayor to carry forward all unspent Mayoral funds as a temporary solution.
It is not intended or expected that the Mayoral budget will carry this responsibility after 2026 and the issue of sustainable long term funding for the CCTV programme will form a key agenda item at the next Limerick Mayoral and Government Consultative Forum.
A dedicated working group drawing on existing Limerick coordination structures and national officials will be established to bring forward this solution to that forum.
With this solution now agreed, the Mayor will look to meet again shortly with the workers affected and their management at the Moyross Community Enterprise Centre to reassure them about the future and to secure the removal of the protective notice.
The Mayor will report progress directly to the people of Limerick and their other elected representatives.