Budget 2027 measures welcomed for Westmeath businesses, families and communities
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD has welcomed a range of Budget 2027 measures which he said will support businesses, jobs, families and communities across Westmeath.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has secured €1.34 billion, including €638.5 million in current expenditure and €710 million in capital funding.
Among the measures highlighted by Minister Burke are €15 million for a new rural pubs support scheme, an additional €8 million for Local Enterprise Offices to help small businesses improve energy efficiency and €20 million extra for the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme.
There will also be €3 million to establish Start Up Ireland, €7.5 million additional funding for Technology Centres and €3.5 million extra for Ireland’s participation in the European Space Agency. Minister Burke noted that Westmeath is home to the ESA Phi-Lab at IMR in Mullingar.
Additional funding includes €6.65 million for Fáilte Ireland and €2.5 million for Tourism Ireland.
Minister Burke said the rural pubs scheme would be particularly important in Westmeath, describing pubs as small businesses which are often at the heart of rural communities.
The Budget also includes a number of measures aimed at households. The entry point to the higher income tax rate will rise from €44,000 to €46,500, while personal tax credits will increase by €125.
The maximum monthly childcare cost will fall to €550 from September for children up to senior infants, while the State pension, carer’s payments and disability payments will increase by €10 per week.
A new €500 Cost of Disability Payment will benefit up to 240,000 people.
Help to Buy relief will increase to €35,000, while farmers will receive a further five months of fuel support and the TAMS allocation will rise to a record €93 million.
Minister Burke said his focus would now be on ensuring the measures translate into tangible benefits for Westmeath.
Measures supporting businesses and jobs
€8 million additional funding for Local Enterprise Offices, including support for small businesses to improve energy efficiency.
€20 million additional funding for the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, helping businesses access long-term finance.
€3 million to establish Start Up Ireland, a new one-stop shop for entrepreneurs.
€7.5 million additional funding for Technology Centres to support research, innovation and commercialisation.
€3.5 million additional funding for Ireland’s participation in the European Space Agency, bringing funding to €30 million. Westmeath is home to the ESA Phi-Lab at IMR in Mullingar.
€6.65 million additional funding for Fáilte Ireland and €2.5 million for Tourism Ireland.
€15 million in support for rural pubs, recognising their importance to the social and economic life of rural communities.