Council rejects call for daytime economy officer for Limerick
Independent councillor Maria O’Donoghue wanted new position to complement night-time officer
A CALL from a councillor to employ an officer to revitalise daytime trade in the city has been rejected by the local authority.
At this month’s metropolitan district meeting, Independent councillor Maria Donoghue called for the creation of the position to work in tandem with Limerick’s night-time officer.
"I’ve called for a city centre manager in the past.
"But I understand there are financial implications attached to this. I think there might be potential for complementing the night-time economy officer with a daytime economy officer who would programme activities for business, culture and residents here in the city centre, and co-ordinate the work taking place across many of the departments,” Cllr Donoghue said, in a notice of motion.
She compared similar measures in place for Ennis, and noted Clare’s county town has a significantly smaller population than Limerick city.
"We need to activate the city. We need to look at specific issues and target them so they hit hard,” she added.
Her motion before this Monday’s meeting earned support from Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney, who praised her for highlighting the work the night-time officer has done for the city.
He said it is Government support which made this measure popular.
Aontu’s Sarah Beasley formally seconded the motion.
"I think it’s an excellent idea. We need footfall, and we need stuff to drive people into the city. If we had a daytime economy staff, it would be excellent. We want to vitalise the city as best we can,” she said.
However, Sonja Reidy, an executive in the metropolitan district ruled the idea out.
She wrote: “The specific call for a daytime economy officer to manage the retail and cultural offering available in Limerick city would require additional staffing and financial commitments through the forthcoming Workforce Plan and future budget allocations and is therefore not a matter that can be progressed through a notice of motion in the absence of these requirements.”