Limerick city's €9m street works scrutinised after €40k spent scrubbing stains in 2025
Limerick City and County Council has confirmed that five deep cleans have been carried out on O'Connell Street this year, at a cost of approximately €8,000 each, bringing the total spend to over €40,000.
The information came in response to a question submitted by Labour Councillor Joe Leddin, who asked what plans were in place to replant flower beds and clean street furniture on O'Connell Street, similar to the flower displays on the city's bridges.
In a written response, Liam Browne, Senior Executive Engineer with the Roads, Traffic and Cleansing section, said:
'The Cleansing Section cleans paving on O'Connell Street on a daily basis. Occasionally deep cleans are carried out by contractor depending on the need to do so and the availability of funding.'
He noted that a surge in major city events had prompted the cleanings.
'Due to the large number of major events in the City recently, namely Riverfest, The Great Limerick Run and three Munster Hurling Championship matches, five deep cleans have been carried out on the pavement and street furniture on O'Connell Street,' stated Mr Browne.
Each deep clean costs approximately €8,000, amounting to a total of €40,000 spent to date in 2025.
Cllr Leddin spoke of concerns regarding the long-term cost and effectiveness of such cleaning with the Irish Independent, in particular, underlying issues with the materials used:
'Having spent €9 million on resurfacing and public realm works, the quality of the paving in my view is not durable for streets, as oil and grease stains are impossible to remove, hence the question, how much are we spending.
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'These issues in terms of product use and durability are decided by engineers, with councillors left dealing with the practical day-to-day issues,' he added.
On the topic of planting, Aidan Finn, Senior Executive with the Environment and Climate Action department, said flower baskets had been refreshed on Limerick's bridges before the June Bank Holiday, with other planting ongoing.
'A new City Gardener has been appointed recently and she will concentrate on the City Centre including Arthur's Quay Park, O'Connell Street and William Street,' Mr Finn said.
'The flower beds on O'Connell Street, Pery Square and the O'Connell Monument will be completed in the near future.'
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