Increased Affordable Housing Targets for Workers

–       Skilled worker shortage and lack of affordable housing creates the “perfect storm”

–       Limerick Chamber launches Budget 2024 campaign at Dáil Éireann

Limerick Chamber, the largest business representative body in the Mid-West, today launched its Budget 2024 campaign from Leinster House, calling on Government to increase targets and drive delivery of affordable housing for workers.

VIEW THE BUDGET 2024 SUBMISSION HERE

Speaking at the launch of their Submission for Budget 2024, Limerick Chamber Chief Executive, Dee Ryan said

A shortage of skilled workers coupled with a drought of affordable housing is creating the perfect storm for employers, inhibiting attraction and retention of workers and impacting on employee’s quality of life.

News of jobs announcements and investment have been warmly welcomed but employers are concerned about capacity to house workers. While Government focus on social housing targets has been understandable and justified we are calling for an equal emphasis to be placed on affordable housing delivery.

Commenting on the submission, Limerick Chamber Chief Economist Seán Golden said

 One of the ways to ease cost-of-living burden for workers is to index income tax.  This would provide a fairer tax system for employees and help to reduce wage demands and competitiveness for employers.

The challenge for Government in Budget 2024 is to balance doing enough to address the current cost environment whilst also addressing key infrastructural gaps and providing a return for tax payers in the form of wrap around supports.

Commenting on reported exit of skilled workers from the country, President of Limerick Chamber, Miriam O’Connor said

Irish educated and trained Doctors, Nurses, Teachers and Gardai are amongst the best trained and sought after in the world. The loss of these highly skilled frontline workers is having an immediate and direct impact on our healthcare, education and policing systems which are all struggling to meet the demands of our growing population. Budget 2024 must introduce measures and cost of living supports to attract the Irish diaspora to return to live, work and re-establish themselves in Ireland.  There must be a focus on retaining Irish graduates in the workforce and ensuring that we do not become an exporter of our best and brightest for the benefit of other economies

VIEW THE BUDGET 2024 SUBMISSION HERE

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