Councillors debate dedicated development contribution scheme for Castletroy

Independent councillor Elena Secas has called for a dedicated supplementary development contribution scheme for Castletroy to fund infrastructure and community facilities needed to support the area’s rapid growth.

Speaking at the September Metropolitan District meeting, Secas warned that while the council continues to approve major housing developments in Castletroy, essential services such as roads, public transport, schools, childcare, a permanent library, a Garda station and recreation facilities have not kept pace.

Secas proposes a Section 49 supplementary development contribution scheme for the wider Castletroy area, similar to the scheme used for the R526 Link Road Phase 3 in Mungret.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Doyle backed the motion, urging a public‑realm plan for Castletroy and highlighting the need for a Garda station, library and extra park. Sinn Féin councillor Sharon Benson expressed concern that the scheme could have “very disastrous” effects on Limerick City North, which faces development constraints due to flood maps. Fine Gael councillors Daniel Butler and Dan McSweeney opposed the motion, arguing it could set a dangerous precedent and increase inequalities across the city and county.

After the meeting, Secas said she was disappointed by the lack of support, noting that some councillors had previously not objected to the Mungret Section 49 scheme. The council responded that establishing a dedicated scheme would require identifying and costing specific infrastructure projects not covered by the Section 48 scheme and defining the geographic area it would cover.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: Altaf Shah / Pexels.