Chambers Ireland calls for delivery on infrastructure and housing in Budget 2024

Chambers Ireland has reiterated its call on Government to deliver on infrastructure and housing in next month’s budget.

The organisation which represents more than 20 county and local chambers of commerce has said that housing shortages are making it challenging to attract and retain staff, impacting economic productivity, while quality of life issues are undermining the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for foreign direct investment.

In advance of Budget 2024, Chambers Ireland held its annual budget event on Wednesday, highlighting the key themes of its pre-budget submission – published in August – to attending Oireachtas members.

As well as reiterating “key themes”, including delivery of improved infrastructure and increased delivery of housing, Chambers Ireland said that its pre-budget proposals are built around attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.

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In particular, Chambers Ireland called for “significant investment” in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

“With so many shocks to our economy in recent years Ireland needs to make progress on filling our gaps in public infrastructure investments if we are to be build the resilience we need to face the challenges of tomorrow,” said Chambers Ireland chief executive Ian Talbot.

“Recent years have seen disruption involving Covid, Brexit, Russian aggression, and the return of inflation. We cannot assume that tomorrow will be any less disruptive to business. Government needs to ensure that no opportunities to make our business environment more productive, efficient, and sustainable are missed in Budget 2024, and the subsequent delivery of the measures,” he said.