Limerick is set to become Ireland's first city with a directly elected mayor with executive powers.
The Cabinet approved the drafting of Government legislation to have an election for the Mayor of Limerick city and county by the end of the year.
The new mayor will be paid €130,000 and have five staff, including a special advisor.
"It is the most significant reform of local government since the foundation of our State. It is a huge opportunity for Limerick to grasp," said Minister for State for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke.
The minister hopes that the mayor will be in place following an election by the end of 2021. Meeting that timeframe is a commitment in the Programme for Government.
"We are in a race against time to deliver the legislation this year and also to have an election this year," said Minister Burke.
"We are hoping to deliver it in the final quarter. That is a very ambitious timeline. But we are very conscious that it was back in May 2019 when the people of Limerick voted for a directly elected mayor," he added.
Government approved the drafting of legislation for the mayoral role at today's Cabinet meeting.
The new mayor of Limerick will hold office until 2029, finishing this local election term and the next. The position will have powers over housing, building, road transport and safety, strategic development and environmental services.
"The mayor will be the executive head of Limerick. They will have the power to propose an annual budget to the council," said Mr Burke.
"They will also will develop a 'Programme for Local Government in Limerick' to deliver on all the aspirations and vision for the area."
Additional functions may be transferred from Government departments to the mayor.
"The mayor would have the right, in theory, to be consulted on decisions by Irish Water, Slainte Care and about national transport plans, education and training. That would need to be worked through with all the different departments," said the minister.
"We want the mayor to be involved in terms of the decisions that affect Limerick city and county. That will have to be legislated for and will be done as the process goes through the Houses of the Oireachtas," he added.
The mayor will oversee an annual budget of €401 million, which is the current budget for Limerick City and County Council.
Minister Burke said the salary would be the "equivalent of a Minister of State's salary which is €130,000. They will also have an office of five individuals, four of whom will come directly from the local authority plus a special advisor, which is in line with the current rank of a junior ministerial portfolio".
The Chief Executive of the council will be re-named 'Director General' and retain responsibility for functions such as managing and accounting for the council’s finances.
The minister confirmed the new Director General role would be paid €171,578 – subject to a final decision. The current CEO is paid €162,257.
"The new Director General will be paid one more grade up from the current chief executive rate of salary in the local authorities' pay scale. That reflects the additional responsibility," said the minister.
Limerick councillors will be briefed by Mr Burke later today.
Limerick's current mayor Michael Collins (Fianna Fáil) welcomed the Government's move to approve legislation for the position of directly elected mayor. "It's an exciting time for Limerick," he said.
Fine Gael Councillor Daniel Butler agreed - but raised questions about costs.
"I think we need to look at that detail because while we do want to provide greater power for the people of Limerick we also want to provide them with a service that is good value for money," he said.
The move by Government to approve the drafting of legislation for a directly elected mayor for Limerick city and county follows the publication of an Independent Advisory Group report by Minister Burke today.
