Leaders from Government, business, trade unions, campaign groups and charities will gather in Dublin Castle today for the National Economic Dialogue.
The annual conference brings various stakeholders together for public consultation and discussion on the upcoming Budget.
It is hosted jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
It is not intended to produce specific budget proposals or recommendations, but it is designed to assist participants in preparing their own pre-budget submissions.
The theme of this year’s Economic Dialogue is the challenges and opportunities for Ireland in a more shock-prone world.
The opening address will be delivered by Taoiseach Simon Harris, followed by speeches from Minister for Finance Michael McGrath and Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe.
Speaking ahead of the conference, business group Ibec warned against introducing a reactionary budget with limited long-term impact.
“Budget 2025 needs to have a two-pronged approach: one that reassures our domestic businesses in terms of long-term support and also repositions Ireland to capitalise on the next wave of inward investment through our capabilities, capacity, and competitiveness,” said Ibec CEO Danny McCoy.
The Wheel, a representative body for charities in Ireland, said that at today’s conference it will call on the Government to use Budget 2025 to address pressing gaps in public services and community funding and supports.
“Community and voluntary organisations are involved in every community in the country, providing health and social supports, services, and advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities, older people, young people, children, people experiencing poverty and disadvantage, and people at every stage of their lives,” said Ivan Cooper, CEO of The Wheel.
“Today we are asking Government to prioritise the supports and services that people depend on,” Mr Cooper said.
John McGeady, CEO, Social Justice Ireland, will tell the conference that the Government should use windfall tax surpluses to ensure social infrastructure keeps pace with population growth.
“To date Government has failed to use years of economic growth and windfall revenues to adequately improve our social infrastructure leading to a situation where our public services and infrastructure are far below the levels that people expect,” Mr McGeady said.
The National Women’s Council (NWC) said that Budget 2025, as the last budget of the current Government, presents an opportunity for the government to support women by reforming and investing in key services such as childcare.
“To tackle the inequalities in our society, Government must be ambitious in its plans for Budget 2025, placing emphasis on large-scale investment and structural reform of public services, and not on tax cuts and minor tweaks,” said NWC’s Head of Policy and Development Kate Mitchell.
