Tánaiste and Minister for Finance meets Kildare businesses in this Kildare town

An Tánaiste with North Kildare TD, Joe Neville (FG) | Leinster Leader

placeholder image — An Tánaiste with North Kildare TD, Joe Neville (FG) | Leinster Leader

The Tánaiste met local businesses and Fine Gael members in Clane, Co Kildare

Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris TD has met local businesses and Fine Gael members in Clane, Co Kildare, at a business breakfast hosted with Joe Neville, Fine Gael TD for Kildare North.

The event brought together businesses from across the county for a discussion on the economy, the cost of doing business and the priorities for Budget 2027, now 99 days away.

Speaking at the event, the Tánaiste said the Irish economy was in good shape, but that government had to keep helping people who work hard and play by the rules.

"The economy is growing well and there are more people at work in this country than ever before," the Tánaiste said.

"But people who get up early and work hard want to keep more of their own money. That is why this budget will include a personal income tax package to make work pay."

Mr Harris said the budget would also make real progress on childcare, which he described as an economic issue as much as a social one, with a clear commitment to reach €200 per child per month over the lifetime of the government.

He confirmed that a new savings and investment account would be set up to help middle Ireland save and invest, and said the government was focused on delivering infrastructure more quickly in fast growing communities like Kildare.

The Tánaiste also welcomed the permanent reduction in VAT for the hospitality and tourism sector, taking effect on Wednesday 1 July. He noted that 99.4% of businesses in the sector are small and medium enterprises.

"We have to be careful about what we ask of businesses," he said. "Our new SME test will be applied to every policy we bring forward, so that government always considers the impact on small firms before it acts."

The Tánaiste paid tribute to Joe Neville TD, describing him as a man of integrity, decency and hard work, and welcomed his recent appointment as Fine Gael spokesperson on infrastructure and delivery.

"Joe knows Kildare and Kildare knows Joe," the Tánaiste said. "He is doing his constituents proud, and I am delighted to have him on the team."