As a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I was pleased to see the establishment this week of the new Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The Commission will have increased powers and replaces the Competition Authority and National Consumer Agency. The new Commission has been created with the passing of the Competition and… Continue Reading
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr James Reilly TD, has announced the availability of €0.5 million capital funding for small to medium youth projects in disadvantaged communities in 2014. The funding announced by Minister Reilly will be extremely useful in allowing youth projects in communities in Galway and Mayo to upgrade or replace… Continue Reading
Just under €78,000 has been allocated to community organisations across Galway City and County and Mayo for sustainable and environmental projects. The 2014 Local Agenda 21 Environmental Partnership Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small scale, non-profit environmental projects at a local level. These projects are essential for promoting sustainable development at local level and… Continue Reading
Farming is our largest indigenous industry with an annual turnover of about €26 billion and 170,000 employees. The measures announced by the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD will increase access to land and make it more productive. Budget 2015 is designed to create a more productive farming sector which will be in the best… Continue Reading
Budget 2015 – Main Points Standard Tax Rate Band increased by €1,000 Reduction of 41% top tax rate to make work pay USC (Universal Social Charge) rates cut and threshold raised to €12,020 Pension Levy reduced from 0.75% to 0.15%, to be abolished by end of 2015 12.5% Corporation tax protected & new Knowledge Development… Continue Reading