Cork Chamber set out budget priorities to minister

Housing and competitiveness amongst key priorities

(Left to right) Stephen Keohane, Partner at KPMG and Chair of the Cork Chamber Budget Committee; Minister for Finance Jack Chambers; Rob Horgan, President of Cork Chamber and Conor Healy, CEO Cork Chamber arriving at the Imperial Hotel in Cork to discuss the business landscape in Cork and priorities ahead of Budget 2025. Photo: Darragh Kane

Cork Chamber outlined their priorities for the Budget next month to the Minister for Finance Jack Chambers in Cork on Friday.

Chamber President Rob Horgan told the minister that the city was at a turning point and housing, competitiveness, infrastructure investment, renewables and urban evolution were key to Cork's future.

At the meeting in the Imperial Hotel, Chamber CEO Conor Healy urged the Government to implement Urban Evolution Deals, which would provide dedicated funding for local authorities, allowing them to allocate resources in ways that best suit their unique needs. 

"This approach will empower cities to capitalise on local assets, foster sustainable growth, and transform city centre living into a reality," he said.

Minister Chambers said they discussed a range of topics including supporting business, growing enterprise and enhancing competitiveness. 

"We also considered the longer-term needs of the city and the wider region, including infrastructure investment, the transition to renewable energy sources and upskilling in the workforce," he said.