Dara Calleary

Promoting a wider programme of events between Ireland and France to celebrate the long-standing friendship and emphasize the importance of town twinning and engagement as a wonderful initiative. Strengthening cultural ties, fostering mutual understanding, and enhanced…

To mark this milestone, a series of public events will take throughout the year, offering opportunities for the communities of Ballina to connect, to celebrate Ballina and communicate a new narrative about the town and its people. Ballina 2023 aims to build civic pride and…

The aim of the weekend is to showcase the great climate positive work taking place in Ballina and engage a wider audience in these initiatives to build awareness, scale and momentum in Ballina’s bid to become Ireland’s Greenest Town. Key priorities for this year’s programme…

Visit to ALDI marquee at National Ploughing Championship, meeting with ALDI and suppliers. Discussion of public policy areas of interest.

Need for more focus on improving the competitiveness of European economies including Ireland

Greater focus on improving competitiveness of European economies, including Ireland

Attendance at Car Rental Council pre-Budget briefing event in Buswell's hotel and communication of CRC's asks for Budget 2025.

Express concerns regarding smaller firms being pulled into the reporting standards of larger firms which they are conducting business with, particularly CSDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence)

Highlight the need for increased supports for training to help businesses respond to the increased volume of sustainability/environmental/human rights reporting.

Called for an enhanced communications and awareness campaign to ensure that businesses would be familiar with supports available

Highlight business concerns regarding the lack of availability of child care services and how this was impacting the ability of people to participate in the workforce

Emphasise the need for childcare to become a career for people rather than a progression point onto some other sector, and for the government to promote this.

Called for greater funding and investment in childcare facilities to support the expansion of the services, particularly in regional areas.

The Minister will consider outcomes and policy recommendations for policy for small and micro businesses

Support for development of the Enterprise Hub which would support start up social enterprises in the area along with providing community space.