BUDGET 2024 SUBMISSION

County Kildare Chamber recently launched its Budget 2024 submission. The Chamber put forward its recommendations to Government focused on housing availability with measures to increase capacity, infrastructure delivery, energy certainty and sustainability.

Following extensive consultation with our members and the Chambers Policy Advisory Council, our submission has focused on 4 main areas within the confines of Budget 2024;

1) Housing

2) Infrastructure

3) Economic Development & Employment

4) Energy & Climate Action

This budgetary submission emphasises the significance of ensuring adequate housing supply, investing in infrastructure and skills, and implementing measures to enhance business competitiveness. These priorities reflect the urgent need to support businesses, address capacity constraints, and navigate challenges affecting economic growth and sustainability in the Kildare region.

You can read County Kildare Chamber’s full Budget 2024 Submission on our website.

Housing:

A recent survey of our membership identified housing availability as the number one issue affecting business competitiveness in Kildare over the past 12 months. Low levels of residential construction during the post 2008 recession in Ireland, has not kept pace with the growing levels of employment and population in the mid-eastern region.

Key Asks:

• A comprehensive review of the NPF & Housing for All unit targets

• Activation of vacant and derelict property

• Croí Conaithe (Town) Scheme review, introduction of staged payments

• State financial aid to brownfield developments

• Renew the Derelict Sites Act 1990

• Landlords (Corporate & Individuals) should be taxed equally at 25%, LPT should be allowed as a tax deduction against rental income. Where landlords retrofit a property, 100% capital allowances should be available in the year the work is completed.

• Capital Gains Tax rate should be reduced from 33% to 20% to incentivise the release of residential property back into the market.

Infrastructure: Industry and infrastructural development are crucial to Ireland’s continued growth. To achieve sustainable industrialisation and innovation, several key points need to be considered.

Key Asks:

• The establishment of an independent agency to lead and develop medium-long term infrastructure policy within Ireland

• Accelerated delivery of the electrification expansion of the Maynooth Dart+ West rail line

• Introduction of a flexi tax saver ticket for hybrid workers (3-day)

• Tax incentives for hybrid/electric vehicles such as super deductions and accelerated capital allowances

• Accelerated rollout of fast charging points nationwide for EV’s, with particular focus on regional areas.

Economy & Employment:

Kildare, as a key commuter county with a large population and excellent connectivity to airports, rail, and port services, plays a vital role in the national economy. The county is home to numerous multinational and domestic companies that employ a highly skilled workforce. To maintain the region’s international competitiveness and support its economic growth, it is crucial for Budget 2024 to create an environment conducive to the establishment of quality jobs in various locations throughout Kildare.

• Introduce coherent and integrated flexible working policy

• Build on current investment in childcare services, and early education infrastructure.

• Dedicated supports should be offered to women seeking to open business

• Simplified work permit process

• Increase of the Employer Apprenticeship Grant from €2,000 to €8,000

• Increase the 40% tax band to income over €45,000

• Simplification & enhancement of the EII Scheme, Extend the Start-Up Relief for Entrepreneurs to individuals who were previously self-employed.

• Reform of the KEEP

Energy:

County Kildare Chamber proposes a series of long-term asks, calling on the government to become more ambitious about gathering renewable energy from the sea and land. In the short term, changing the incentives landscape to facilitate commercial properties becoming microgen producers, and delivering shallower retrofits that would support those most directly affected by fuel poverty are key.

Key Asks:

• Re-introduction of the corporate tax relief for equity investment in companies involved in renewable energy generation

• R&D tax credit expanded to encourage green technology

• Expand the network of local authority energy agencies

• Accelerated capital allowance regime to include energy efficient equipment

• The Environment and Planning Court has to be brought into operation immediately

Adriana Ginga

Recruitment Partner - Administration, Sales, Marketing & Customer Service at Clark

Adriana is passionate about uncovering and connecting talented individuals with their dream careers. Unlocking potential, one candidate at a time. Solution focused and determined to achieve client satisfaction and candidate success, Adriana is a resourceful problem solver and results-oriented professional. CIPD qualified and experienced in the art of recruitment with a background in legal and languages.

Adriana can be contacted via email adriana@clark.ie or by phone 045 881888.