Minister Dara Calleary visits Kildare ahead of Budget 2025

Minster of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary TD toured South Kildare yesterday at the invitation of local Senator Fiona O’Loughlin. 

Minister Calleary was showcased the very best that Kildare South has to offer in terms of local, national and international businesses. The entrepreneurship and the huge contribution to the local economy was clear. 

Speaking following the visit Senator O’Loughlin said “I was delighted to welcome my colleague and friend Minister Dara Calleary to visit us here in South Kildare and to see the wonderful businesses and entrepreneurs we have in our local community and economy. We started our visit at Gather in Kildare Town, where we were shown the skills and creative brilliance of master crafts people in Kildare and where all members of the Craft and Creative cluster in Kildare can be involved in.” 

“KDP and Murphy international also showed the Minister the level of international interest in Kildare and how our strategic location and highly skilled workforced can be leveraged to attract major investment in our communities. Cross Engineering and Bergins store also hosted the minister, and he was hugely impressed by the talent, skill and community ethos that was on show at both establishments. Local businesses are the lifeblood of our local areas, and we need to continue to support them.” 

“We completed the visit in Hotel Keadeen with a public meeting, to allow our business leaders to voice their concerns and requirements in advance of budget 2025. Issues from digitalisation, to VAT, to infrastructure and parking as well as the social value of business were raised and the minister reiterated government support for the sector.” 

O’Loughlin concluded “Today I will chair a meeting between Minister for Finance Jack Chambers, Minister Calleary and national business representatives and I will be bringing the issues and concerns to the Minister for Finance.”