Dara Calleary
Mayo · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Agriculture is the backbone. We have all been in the Mansion House today, or everyone has said they were anyway. Energy security is key and crucial. Everybody wants energy security but nobody wants wind energy. We have to strike a balance and get a real discussion, but food security is most important.”
“While we have gaps there, we are addressing them. The Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has announced the minor injury units, which will take the pressure off major hospitals and ensure services are available.”
“Recent figures from the CSO show that there is a 5.8% increase in the number of people living in rural areas between 2016 and 2022. In areas classified as highly rural and remote, the increase was 6.4%.”
“Enterprise Ireland is investing in Irish-owned, Irish-founded companies. Similarly, 59% of IDA investments were located outside the Dublin region. We will continue to work, looking at the progress we can make through the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and, as Senator O'Loughlin said, through supporting our local enterprise offices.”
“That is something we do daily and they are used where is necessary. The plan will be supported by ambitious, clear, practical and measurable actions. I have spoken to some of the funding programmes available within my Department.”
“Táim tar éis cuairt a thabhairt ar gach ceantar Gaeltachta chun plé fairsing a dhéanamh leis na pobail sin chun a fháil amach uathu féin cén cineál tacaíochta ar féidir a chur ar fáil dóibh chun cabhrú leo. Táim chun leanúint ar aghaidh leis an obair sin sa bhuiséad le teacht agus na buiséid eile.”
The complete record
Every one of 2,162 lines we hold for Dara Calleary, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 32 of 44.
“In recent years, my Department has introduced a wide range of initiatives aimed at streamlining the processing of claims using modern technology. Operational processes, procedures and the organisation of work are continually reviewed to ensure that processing capability is maximised. I am pleased to inform Deputy Stanley that we are currently meeting and exceeding our processing target for the disability allowance scheme, which aims to award 75% of applications within ten weeks. For carer's allowance, we aim to award 80% of applications within ten weeks. The average processing time for both schemes is six weeks. I will certainly engage with the Deputy with regard to any specific case that falls outside of those periods. We are continuously trying to reduce those processing times.”
“The processing times for individual claims may vary in accordance with the relative complexity of each application, particularly in terms of the main qualifying criteria, each individual's circumstances and the information that is provided in support of the claim. When determining suitability for disability allowance, evidence needs to be examined in respect of the medical condition involved, the extent to which it restricts a person from taking up employment, their means and habitual residency. Similarly, when examining suitability for carer's allowance, caring needs are also examined. To assist the Department to make timely and fair decisions, we need to ensure we have completed forms and that supporting documentation is attached. Claims with incomplete information take longer to process.”
“My Department is committed to providing quality service to all, ensuring that applications are processed and that decisions on entitlement are made in a timely manner. We absolutely understand the pressures people face, and we ensure that claims are processed quickly and efficiently. There are almost 170,000 people in receipt of disability allowance and more than 100,000 people in receipt of carer's allowance. The number of people in receipt of disability allowance has increased by almost 50%. The number of people in receipt of carers allowance has increased by 67% over the past ten years.”
“The programme for Government has a commitment to expand the fuel allowance to the working family payment, which will address the energy issues to which the Deputy referred. We have a focus on this within the programme for Government, which will be delivered upon. We are finalising our new child poverty target and the measures that will go with that in order to ensure that we achieve it. It will be ambitious, absolutely, but it has to be ambitious. We have to ensure that no child is left behind. I am certainly determined to ensure that will happen in the context of my Department.”
“It will require continuous targeted investment. We will be making choices in the context of budget 2026 regarding targeted supports for children and families. I look forward to the Deputy's support for those. In the context of the programme for Government, we will continue to retain the child poverty and well-being office in the Department of the Taoiseach. The Taoiseach made it very clear to me when I was appointed that child poverty is to be a major focus. We will continue to increase core welfare payments. We will be looking at increasing the child support payment as one of the targeted measures and looking at various pay-related benefits for parents, which we discussed earlier.”
“I can assure the Deputy that our determination to reduce child poverty is reflected in the programme for Government commitments and in the work of the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office. Since 2023, this has been based in the Department of the Taoiseach. It will take time to see the impact of the work of that unit on the data. The Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, independently shows that the system of social transfer has been effective in reducing child poverty. Current child-related cash and in-kind benefits have lifted an estimated 157,000 children out of income poverty and 94,000 out of consistent poverty.”
“I wish to reiterate that we are disappointed by the latest child poverty figures. However, it is important to recognise that in 2023, when the SILC income data was collected, the Government had not yet brought in free school meals for all primary schools, which we have now done, or free school books across second level, which we have now done. Those supports will make a difference to children in poverty. It will be reflected in future figures. Similarly, the significant increases in social welfare contained in budget 2024 and the associated cost-of-living measures, which were worth more than €2.3 billion, were not included in the SILC income statistics and neither was the €2.6 billion budget 2025 social welfare package. However, we do not take that for granted.”
“This includes a focus on targeted income supports, early learning and care, the cost of education, family homelessness, integrated services and participation. Due to this report and many others, including reports of the views of children themselves, we know that the policies are working. We are ready to take targeted, decisive and informed action in the context of the forthcoming budget in this space, not just in the Department of Social Protection, but across government. We are focused on reducing child poverty in measures that will be part of budget 2026.”
“However, it is important to note that the survey data does not fully factor in the impact of budgets 2024 and 2025, both of which included the largest ever social welfare packages, including many measures that can be expected when they are fully reflected in the data to reduce child poverty. The child poverty monitor highlights the progress that has been made in recent years, including increases in targeted family income supports, as well as important new measures, such as hot school meals, the holiday hunger pilot, free school books and the commencement of Equal Start. The solutions to child poverty identified in the report align closely with the priorities identified by the Government in our first cross-government programme plan - Child Poverty and Child Well-being 2023-2025.”
“The Government welcomes the publication of the fourth child poverty monitor. I acknowledge and thank the Children's Rights Alliance and its constituent members for the work they have put into this. The child poverty monitor draws on the survey on income and living conditions, SILC, 2024, which was published by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, in March 2025. It is based on a survey conducted throughout 2024 asking people about their income and consumption in 2023 and 2024. It illustrates that the consistent poverty rate for children increased from 4.8% in SILC 2023 to 8.5% in SILC 2024. While the related figure for child deprivation did fall marginally in SILC 2024, it is disappointing. I am concerned that we continue to see an increase in consistent poverty for children. We are currently working through the report.”
“As the Deputy said, the cost-of-living crisis is also affecting clothing and footwear. That is a massive expense on families at this time of year, particularly as children go back to school and if schools are demanding particular kinds of uniforms. I wish to make sure the money, which is relatively small, is directed at that cohort at this time. We have made huge investment in school books. My Department has made huge investment in school meals. We are focused on trying to improve the experience of children in education, but my Department cannot continue being the Department that everybody comes to looking for assistance.”
“On the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance for foster families, it was an anomaly that foster children could not qualify for this scheme. This was even to the extent that there could be foster children and other children within a family. Some of the children would have qualified and the foster children would not. I have corrected that anomaly. There are means tests, however, across all our schemes. I do not want to correct an anomaly by creating another. I understand the extraordinary role played by foster parents. I look forward to working to continue to enhance conditions. In the context of big budgets being made up of small asks, I will use that a lot if the Deputy does not mind. I will engage with the Minister, Deputy McEntee. She is conscious of this. We have had discussions.”
“This can include the purchase of ICT devices, such as tablets or laptops and the implementation of loan schemes for same if needed. At this time, I have no plans to change the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to include a specific device payment. I welcome the Deputy's expression of welcome for the expansion of the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance to foster families. It is means tested. However, the means test will exclude the weekly payment of €400 that is paid as the foster allowance. We are currently reviewing every means test. Means tests are important to ensure that supports go to those most in need of them income-wise. I wish to re-emphasise that the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance means test will exclude the €400 or €420 per week payment to foster families.”
“I encourage anybody who has not heard or got a notification to go to MyWelfare.ie and to register their interest or concern. Matters relating to devices in schools is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Youth, Deputy McEntee. She is keenly aware of the challenges faced by parents and educators relating to the costs of digital technology, including tablets. Her Department is continuing to work to help support schools and families with these costs. The Minister recently announced a €35 million investment in schools for ICT infrastructure. This funding is issued directly to schools, as schools are best placed to identify the requirements of their own student cohort to meet those requirements in accordance with their digital learning planning.”
“I thank the Deputy. I do not mind at all. The back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off annual payment to eligible families to assist with the cost of clothing and footwear when children start or start back at school each autumn. Last year, the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance payments totalled €57.04 million. This was paid to more than 149,500 families in respect of 264,400 qualified children. The majority of families are awarded the allowance automatically. A notification of the awards is issued to these families. In 2025, 114,000 families have been automatically approved for the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, in respect of 197,000 qualified children. Payments will begin to be made in the week commencing 14 July.”
“I have met the carers' forum in the Department. I will continue to use that forum with carers' groups for consultation. I am sure the joint committee will have good input on that, as well as Deputies in this House. We have made changes this year. As I said, carer's benefit was extended to the self-employed as part of budget 2025. At the end of April, we had 139 applications from self-employed people for carer's benefit. We paid the carer's support grant, which is the highest in its history, of €2,000 on 5 June. We will expand eligibility from 2 July. We are very much investing in carers. We have more to do and will continue to do that. I look forward to working with Deputies on that.”
“I also want to ensure that those who have to make decisions to leave work, and in particular, considering the essence of the scheme, those who have a sudden change in income, are supported as well.”
“Absolutely. I think in a couple of weeks the Deputy will see a full indication of this Government's ongoing commitment to carers. As he knows, the carer's benefit is subject to an earnings limit of €450 per week after tax. As part of budget 2025, the income limit will increase to €625 with effect from July, which will allow far more carers to avail of carer's benefit. We also extended the flexibility regarding children who are in hospital or newborns who are kept in hospital. The carer's benefit payment has increased by €41 a week over the past four years. We will continue to support carers by increasing the number eligible for it and by ensuring that the weekly payment is as high as possible.”
“In addition, we will be moving towards the implementation of the programme for Government commitment to abolish the carer's allowance means test. In this context, further consideration will be given to the potential knock-on effects for the carer's benefit scheme generally. We are fully committed to supporting family carers and I will always keep the range of supports provided by my Department under review. I expect to launch a consultation later this year on the further extension of pay-related schemes, including parent's benefit, and will also seek the views of Deputies and stakeholders about pay-related carer's benefit.”
“This is recognised in the programme for Government, which includes a number of commitments regarding carers, including the commitment to examine the introduction of pay-related carer's benefit for individuals who have to give up work suddenly in order to provide full-time care to a loved one. The new jobseeker's pay-related benefit started in March. Developed from the experience during Covid, the scheme ensures that workers who are made unemployed receive enhanced benefits linked to their previous earnings. It is a relatively new payment but, as I said in response to the previous question, we intend to learn from our experience operating it. That experience and learning will help to inform future decisions regarding pay-related schemes, including, potentially, carer's benefit.”
“Carer's benefit is, as the Deputy knows, a payment available to insured people who may need to leave work or reduce their hours to care for a person or people in need of full-time care and attention. It is financed from the Social Insurance Fund. Since January, the scheme has been extended to the self-employed. Recipients of carer's benefit were among the 138,000 carers who received a carer's support grant of €2,000 on 5 June. The Government fully acknowledges the incredible role that family carers play and we are fully committed to supporting carers.”
“I am more than happy to engage with the Deputy, the House and any unions about how we can make that transition much easier. We will also engage with the Deputy in the context of the overall review, which will be in the middle of next year after about a year of jobseeker's pay-related benefit.”
“Absolutely. I am always open to any engagement with unions on this. This system was designed for workers who are going to be re-employed relatively quickly. Hopefully in the coming weeks, we will get the first signal of that, because the first cohort of people will be coming to the end of the top payment of 13 weeks. That payment declines as they are no longer employed so to do a full comparison between jobseeker's pay-related benefit and other things will take some time in terms of people's experience and the length of time people are on it. It is designed to assist people as they seek other jobs. The group the Deputy mentioned will be going back to other jobs in September. What I want to do in the immediate term is make sure that their transition is as seamless as possible.”
“As of now, I have no plans to review the scheme but I will certainly be happy to have a discussion with the Deputy in the context of the overall review, which will take place after a year.”
“I am always open to considering the Deputy's suggestions. We will be reviewing the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit after a year of operation. This is the first time in more than 40 years we have had such a benefit. In connection with other questions that have arisen, it will provide the foundation for other potential pay-related benefits. If there are relevant cases, the Deputy should bring them to my attention. We are proactively engaging with those we know have a particular pattern of employment at this time of the year, particularly in the academic sector. More than 8,000 people have been contacted in the past several weeks. If there are any cases, I would like to hear about them before September so we do not have any delays in people getting their income payments.”
“Seasonal workers and those whose employment patterns align with the academic year have a predictable or ongoing pattern of work and can plan accordingly. However, within the Department we seek to be proactive. We have already communicated with more than 8,000 people who we know have the work patterns in question to ensure no delay in going on to benefits as soon as the school year ends. At this point, I do not plan to include them in the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit scheme.”
“It links the rate of payment to a person's previous earnings to provide a financial cushion when a person loses their employment entirely. It allows them to adjust to a period of uncertainty associated with unemployment. The scheme aims to support a person during this initial period while they seek alternative employment and adjust their outgoings. The legislation underpinning the scheme specifically provides that specific categories of atypical workers are excluded from the jobseeker's pay-related benefit. These exclusions apply to those referred to by the Deputy, who often work on a part-time, casual, short-time or seasonal basis. The conditions for the jobseeker’s pay-related benefit scheme are not designed to provide in-work support on a recurring and intermittent basis.”
“Maidin mhaith ar ais duit, a Theachta. The new jobseeker's pay-related benefit was introduced at the end of March. This new social insurance-based income support has replaced the jobseeker's benefit scheme for those who have become fully unemployed since the commencement of the scheme on 31 March. On 7 June 2025, some 11,900 jobseeker's pay-related benefit claims had been awarded under the new scheme. The origin of this payment is the experience during the Covid period, when many workers lost their incomes suddenly and without warning. The PUP, which was pay-related, helped to cushion the income shock. The jobseeker's pay-related benefit extends the same principle to people who lose their income unexpectedly.”
“I am happy to engage with the Deputy on it, but either the LAG needs to make a decision or Tipperary County Council needs to get it to our Department.”
“I thank Deputy O'Meara for raising this issue. Relating to LEADER in Tipperary, the Tipperary local action group, LAG, has received €10.8 million for the 2021 to 2027 period, which is an increase of 7% on the previous budget. As the Deputy knows, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht has no role in deciding on specific projects. That is done by the Tipperary LAG, which has the capacity to seek flexibility within the programme. Relating to the specific projects in Cloughjordan and Silvermines, they expressed an interest in funding to Tipperary County Council. Potentially, there will be funding there. Tipperary County Council has not forwarded that on to our Department for consideration.”
“I am determined that, when we come to the end of this term of government and my time in the Department, we will have made a difference and will have reflected the ambitious obvious in this Chamber and, more importantly, the ambition obvious across regional and rural Ireland. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.”
“Communities with an idea and vision for themselves are exactly the kind of communities we want to partner with. We want to partner with local authorities on delivering projects that come from the local authority and, in turn, from the community, rather than us imposing grand, big projects on them. The challenge is to get those projects through the local authorities and into my Department in a way we can deliver them back. That takes a huge amount of work. I thank every person who works in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. Cuirim fáilte roimh na comhghleacaithe nua atá linn ó thaobh na Gaeilge le cúpla seachtain anois.”
“Rural Ireland came together with an amazing sense of meitheal and common purpose to get neighbours, families and friends through Storm Éowyn and the damage it caused. We all have to learn the lessons of that and work is under way. We also need to remember that, within that challenge, rural Ireland came together. It used many facilities already there, including physical facilities such as community centres invested in by my Department and other Departments. CE, RSS and Tús workers came together to support communities at a horrific time and got communities through that time. That is the essence of rural and urban Ireland. If we have strong communities that are ambitious for themselves, we will be able to balance regional development.”
“It did all the business courses with them. Dereliction and rural industry were addressed. Later that day we went to look at a rural enterprise based in a traditional rural shop. A rural butcher had expanded into a supermarket, as many have, and used innovation and hard work to move into a prepared food line. Coming from a small rural shop, he provided opportunities for employment and really good food. It showed me what can be done in rural areas with the right support, thinking and commitment. It assured me that, in terms of rural Ireland, there is a way. There are many questions on areas outside my remit but I will bring them back. I will come back to a point Senator Goldsboro made at the beginning. On 23 and 24 January and in the weeks after that, we saw the best of rural Ireland.”
“Atlantic Technological University, which Senator Cosgrove mentioned, has been a fantastic example of progress and success. Orla Flynn and the team have done an extraordinary job in, as the Senator said, developing not only one campus but multiple ones. They have aligned the university with the regional enterprise priorities and we will continue to support them. On the revitalisation of town centres, when I visited Kildare with Senator O'Loughlin last year I was intrigued by one project in particular. Kildare LEO, under its super CEO Jacqui McNabb, rented space in a vacant unit for crafters, put the resources in place to develop it and put the expertise in place in terms of the layout of the shop and how the window looked. It gave talented craftspeople a space to sell their wares with a high-end presentation.”
“It is important we have a planning system that gives people a chance to object but which is predictable and has deadlines. Is é sin é an fáth a chuirim fáilte roimh an gcoimisiún pleanála atá le bunú amárach le cathaoirleach nua. Senator Duffy referred to transport. I am very much on board with all those projects. His suggestions about supporting theatre appeal to an aspect of the regions we do not talk up enough: the richness of our culture. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na hintleachta saorga, AI, go gcosnóimid an cultúr sin agus go gcosnóimid ár gcúrsaí litríochta. In the context of AI, which I really think gives enormous opportunities, we also have to defend our culture and defend our writers. That is something we do with section 481.”
“I have just come from a meeting about PEACEPLUS and how we make that more relevant, especially to communities on the ground. She mentioned some issues in Virginia. I assure Senator Blaney that positive discrimination is very much something I sign up to. We have got to do that. If we get our offshore potential right, it is the game-changer we are all looking for. It is the cross-government game-changer and it will be delivered. It will be delivered with a planning system that is changed, that is more decisive and that is more predictable. Many Senators have referred to large infrastructure projects, many of which were delayed in planning. The system was bureaucratic and open to too many objections that were not coming from people who had a stake in the area.”
“Tá sé tábhachtach freisin go bhfuilimid dáiríre faoi chúrsaí Gaeltachta. Bhí an méid a dúirt an Seanadóirí Curley faoi chúram leanaí agus an Ghaeilge an-suimiúil. Beidh mé ag dul ar ais go dtí na hoifigigh faoi sin. The western rail corridor has come up many times. We have to make that happen. Senator Murphy mentioned Ardrahan and the difference it has made there. That is a really good example of what this can do. As to what Senator Tully said about tourism, there are so many areas that are in the same boat that are not found. It is about how we market them. We should learn from the example of the Wild Atlantic Way, which showed how a relatively simple idea can be pursued with co-ordinated investment. She also mentioned the challenges of the Border in the Cavan area.”
“Let us not run down our communities. In focusing on the negatives, we must always remember every communication has an impact. Senator Lynch made a really important point on the co-ordination of policies and I think we all agree on that. Many Senators have made proposals that cut across Government Departments. It is about how we co-ordinate all that work. The silos that get in the way of activity in so many areas are definitely getting in the way of balanced regional development. That is why I want to take a whole-of-government approach with Our Rural Future. That is one thing that is happening with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, in relation to the national development plan review that is under way. It will take a very comprehensive measure of projects in many of the areas that have been referred to in the House this evening.”
“I told the Cathaoirleach earlier I would like to see the Seanad get involved in it in a way that could be useful. I assure Senator Conway that even though I am from Mayo, I had the privilege of visiting Waterford on many occasions in my last ministry and it is not quite the desert he has outlined. As Senator Kyne has already said, the North Quays project is extraordinary. That took massive commitment on the part of the Ministers of State, Deputies Butler and Cummins, to deliver. It is being delivered through the SDZ model in a really interesting combination of public and private partnership. That will transform Waterford city. There is investment in SETU, the cath lab and as we speak a new bridge is being put over the River Suir. It is very important we outline the challenges in all our communities and most have done that constructively.”
“The CSO shows we had a 7% increase in the population of highly remote and rural areas between 2011 and 2022. The OECD is saying that between 2001 and 2021, the most rural regions in Ireland recorded the highest population growth among all OECD countries. That is independent analysis. However, we recognise that there are significant disparities within those trends. That is why I am currently revising and renewing all the CLÁR areas to ensure it becomes more targeted than maybe it has been in recent years. Once again I issue the invitation, or even challenge, to get on board with the renewal of Our Rural Future, to take part in the process that is under way, led by the Minister of State in Charleville last night and in Tullamore this evening - which is where I would be, except I wanted to be here - and the online discussions.”
“Last Friday the Minister of State and I announced the local enhancement programme that was referenced by Senator Goldsboro. It is worth €7 million. We have announced the community recognition fund and the community centre investment fund, so we are investing in communities. We are investing in communities that are proactive and innovative and we certainly want to do more of that. We have a programme for Government commitment to reintroduce a very focused and precise RAPID scheme similar to the one that existed before the financial crash. That is something I am especially passionate about working with the Minister of State on. Senator Ryan made the charge that rural communities are being managed into decline, which does not stand up to analysis at all.”
“Gabhaim buíochas le gach Seanadóir as an díospóireacht seo agus as a dtuairimí. I note there was a lot of emphasis on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and I thank John Daly and everybody on the assembly for their work. It is a really useful piece of work and I thank them for it. I certainly engaged with it. There has also been a lot of reference to Cork issues, which my colleague in the Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, is working on. Between us, he and I are very focused on every part of the Department's mandate, namely, rural affairs, community, cúrsaí Gaeltachta and development of them all. There were some queries earlier about community groups. The actual record does not stand up to the charge in terms of the investments I have announced.”
“I thank my colleagues in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for their huge work in this area since the establishment of the Department in 2007. The Department shows the way in terms of remote working, with bases in Ballina, Na Forbacha and here in Dublin. I thank all who work in the Department for their huge commitment to its mission. Through continued co-ordination, targeted action and engagement with communities, we will ensure every part of our country shares in Ireland's growth and opportunity. I look forward to this evening's debate and hearing the important contributions of Members. Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis na Seanadóirí as an díospóireacht seo.”
“Significant advances in digital connectivity throughout Ireland are enabling remote working, online education and access to digital services across all regions. My Department has provided a national network of almost 400 connected hubs across the country. The programme for Government commits to expanding the remit of the hubs to unlock new potential by enabling ehealth, remote learning and an enhanced digital engagement. Connectivity, both traditional and new, empowers communities to attract investment, retain talent and encourage people to move to those communities. These are key elements of balanced regional development. Senators can be assured that balanced regional development remains a central priority for the Government.”
“The Connecting Ireland rural mobility plan has seen more than 150 new or enhanced routes since its introduction in 2021, with over 1.1 million passenger journeys across the network in 2024 alone. The reopening of the western rail corridor from Claremorris to Athenry, and northwards from Claremorris to Sligo, is critical infrastructure for the Atlantic economic corridor. The redevelopment of that rail corridor is vital to ensure the future of the region both from an economic and environmental perspective, with benefits for connectivity, tourism, freight and sustainable transport. Our regional airports, including Ireland West Airport Knock, offer a massive opportunity for growth. All the regional airports working together can deliver outcomes and access right across the country.”
“As an example of our ambition in this area, the Government announced an investment in February of up to €23 million towards the development of a number of sustainable tourism amenities across the Border region. Similarly, the agrifood sector drives economic growth in every rural parish in Ireland, reaching out from every corner of our country to global markets. We will continue to strongly support farmers and our rural communities in the food and agriculture sectors. I am very clear that communities in every region need access to good-quality public services. Connectivity, both transport and digital, is essential. The Government is strongly committed to protecting the existing regional and local road network, with investment in 2025 alone of €713 million. The public transport network continues to expand across all regions.”
“IDA Ireland's Adapt Intelligently strategy for the period to 2029 targets 550 investments in regional locations outside Dublin. Enterprise Ireland also remains fully committed to driving balanced regional development, with 64% of new jobs created by client companies last year located outside Dublin. Projects such as the development of the Ireland West Airport Knock strategic development zone, SDZ, are of strategic importance to the northern and western region. This is recognised by the inclusion of that project in Project Ireland 2040, the west regional enterprise plan and regional spatial plans. As we all know, tourism plays a key role in balanced regional development. Fáilte Ireland's regional tourism development strategy sets out a strategic approach to unlocking the potential of each region.”
“With a revised NPF, and a new planning and development Act being implemented this year, we will deliver on our commitment to ensure the accelerated delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure projects across the country. Our aim is to ensure housing supply meets new demand, addresses existing need and creates a sustainable future for housing in Ireland. This is maintained by a commitment of €6 billion in investment in housing under budget 2025. The Minister, Deputy Browne, is doing exceptionally good work in tackling the bottlenecks that exist in our housing market. The revised NPF includes commitments regarding renewable electricity development, both onshore and offshore. It will also support jobs and enterprise in every part of the country.”
“Our three regional assemblies, together with the 31 local authorities, are crucial in driving balanced regional development by setting and implementing regional and local development policy in line with national objectives. The revised NPF will provide the basis for the review and updating of regional strategies and local authority development plans to reflect key drivers of change to ensure we have a strong, strategic and plan-led approach based on the relevant up-to-date legislative and policy framework. In terms of the Government's approach and progress towards driving effective regional development, we fully recognise that housing and infrastructure form the foundations upon which economic activity, population growth and access to essential services depend.”