Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce has today published its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, setting out clear priorities for Government to address the long-standing underinvestment in Donegal and the wider North West region.
The Chamber warns that without urgent action on infrastructure, housing, energy, and labour mobility, the region will continue to lag behind the rest of the country, undermining Ireland’s ability to achieve balanced national growth and competitiveness targets.
Chamber President Jimmy Stafford said:
“Budget 2026 is an opportunity for Government to deliver on balanced regional development. Roads, water, wastewater, and grid connections are not luxuries – they are the basic building blocks of a modern economy. The State is in a unique position to deploy strategic investment in infrastructure to enable the North West to become a net contributor to Ireland’s growth. We need commitment, urgency and delivery.
Key Priorities Identified in the Submission
- Infrastructure Investment: Progress long-promised projects including the Ten-T road scheme, County wide grid upgrades, and essential water and wastewater systems.
- Housing: Accelerate delivery of social and affordable housing, tackle the defective blocks crisis and enable building where homes are most needed.
- Cross-Border Worker Taxation: Resolve tax residency issues that create barriers for cross-border workers and employers seeking talent.
- Business Supports & Competitiveness: Maintain targeted supports, simplify taxation, and provide incentives for innovation and sustainability.
Chamber CEO Toni Forrester added:
“Our members are resilient, they continue to invest, innovate, and create jobs despite rising costs and increasing bureaucracy. But resilience has its limits. What we need now is action – clear commitments in Budget 2026 that deliver long delayed infrastructure and unlock the true potential of the North West.”
The Chamber stresses that addressing these challenges is not just about Donegal. Closing regional gaps will make Ireland stronger, more competitive and better placed to attract investment on the global stage.
The full Pre-Budget Submission is available at Final LK Chamber Pre-Budget submission
