Limerick City Council appoints community co-ordinators

A team of community co-ordinators is to be appointed in Limerick city to help tackle anti-social behavoiur in some of the city's troubled housing estates.

The eight community co-ordinators, along with their team leader, will work in partnership with residents to help make their neighbourhoods safer, cleaner and better places.

The new scheme is being piloted by the Limerick City Community Safety Partnership, which was recently established by Limerick City Council, An Garda Síochána and the Health Service Executive.

The pilot project will run in Limerick for the next two years and the city council and public representatives hope it will help address the issues surrounding anti-social behaviour.

It follows the recent appointment of former Dublin city manager John Fitzgerald to a new Government taskforce to tackle problems of crime, disorder and social exclusion in some of Limerick's troubled estates.

It was also confirmed earlier this month that New York-based religiouis order the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal is to open a friary in the Moyross area of Limerick.

According to Paul Foley, director of services for Limerick City Council, the new community co-ordinators will help improve quality of life in some communities.

“The community co-ordinators will work in partnership with local communities to help them deal with anti-social behaviour and will be a friend to residents trying to improve their quality of life," said Mr Foley.

The eight community co-ordinators act will act as links among the communities,the Garda, Limerick City Council and the Health Service Executive to help them sort out problems, Mr Foley added.

The community co-ordinators will work in a cross-section of areas throughout Limerick city.

Their duties will also include improving the local environment through close co-operation with the local community, facilitating the organisation of local events and the solving of local problems.

According to Mr Foley, there has been an excellent response to the advertisement for the eight community co-ordinators and their team leader.

“We are delighted with the response so far from people who have a strong sense of community and want to do this job well,” Mr Foley said.

Community co-ordinators are being offered two-year contracts and a salaries of €33,067. The team leader is offered a salary of €42,139.