The Letterkenny Chamber is calling for more investment in infrastructure in Donegal to bring the region onto a level playing field.
In its Pre-Budget Submission for 2025, the Chamber, representing over 300 businesses across Donegal and the North West, says the region has suffered without essential infrastructure such as motorways, gas networks, and rail connectivity.
The Chamber’s President, Claire McDonough said the situation is urgent, “This budget is an opportunity to prioritize the regional imbalance by awarding enabling investments that will create a level playing field and allow us to achieve our ambitions.”
Among the key issues highlighted by the Chamber is the housing crisis, aggravated in Donegal by the defective blocks crisis, which has further strained an already limited housing market.
Letterkenny Chamber is calling on the government to accelerate affordable housing projects and support the Council, housing associations and developers in delivering above-target housing rapidly.
Labour shortages have posed significant challenges for businesses in Donegal. The Chamber advocates for investments in intensive English language courses for people seeking international protection, many of whom are highly qualified but face language barriers to employment.
The submission also addressed the tax residency issue affecting cross-border workers, which has become increasingly problematic in the post-COVID era of remote and hybrid work. The Chamber is urging the government to provide a solution that allows for greater flexibility in labour mobility across the island of Ireland.
Ms. McDonough concluded, “We have seen too many budgets that promise much but deliver little. The time for action is now if we are to avoid remaining a region in transition.”
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