Key AmCham Priorities Reflected in 2025-2029 Programme for Government

A Programme for Government (PFG) has been agreed by Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Independent TDs. This agreement paves the way for a majority in Dáil Éireann and will form the legislative agenda for the incoming Government until 2029. 

AmCham has been advocating on behalf of members to secure key priorities in the PFG, and through this advocacy and AmCham’s General Election Manifesto, entitled ‘A Vote for a Stronger Future’, AmCham has had success in ensuring many key items were reflected in this PFG. This is the case across, but not limited to, the policy areas of Housing, Energy Reform, Infrastructure, Talent & Skills Development & Retention, Healthcare, Taxation, Digitalisation, and Cyber Security.  

Building upon this, Amcham will continue to advocate for the urgent delivery of vital infrastructure and key investments and for the implementation of smart policy decisions to boost Ireland’s competitiveness as a location of choice for business to invest and grow, and as a place for talent to live and work.  

AmCham has outlined below a number of the items for which it advocated, on behalf of members, with the key recommendations made in AmCham’s manifesto and the relevant actions detailed within the PFG.  

 

HOUSING:  
Housing is significant challenge with ramifications for attractiveness, talent retention, and competitiveness. To address these issues, AmCham regularly engages with stakeholder to deliver sustainable solutions that benefit Irish society. 

 

Recommendation: Continuously reassessing housing targets; with a view to the target of delivering “housing to accommodate approximately 50,000 additional households per annum to 2040” from the National Planning Framework being regarded as a floor for delivery rather than a ceiling.  

Result: Introduce a new, all of government national housing plan to follow Housing for All, underpinned by a multi-annual funding commitment. Ramp up construction capacity to build over 300,000 new homes by the end of 2030 in line with the revised Housing Targets to meet both existing and future demands.  

 

Recommendation: Increasing housing supply and accommodation levels in both the purchase and rental markets.  

Result: Work with the banks to expand the First Home scheme to first time buyers of second-hand homes. Extend the scheme to 2030. Increase the First Home scheme targets in keeping with the increase in starter home targets.  

Launch a new, comprehensive Starter Home programme across the public, private and AHB sector, which promotes home ownership and secures long-term rental tenures for young people and fresh start applicants. 
 
Expand the role of Ireland’s credit union sector in the housing market. 

 

Recommendation: Examining new and innovative methods of housing delivery to support cutting-edge housing solutions and ensure the most efficient methods of delivery are utilised.  

Result: Establish a new procedure for large developments above 100 units where a developer can meet local authority planners and Uisce Éireann on site to iron out issues at pre-planning stage.  
Set up a MMC Innovation Fund via the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF), to directly fund new housing factories, and the expansion of existed factories. 
 
Ensure State policies support the collaborative development of standard house and apartment types to drive efficiency, reduce costs and support viability. 

Work with the EU Commission to revise State Aid rules to provide a new investment platform for affordable and sustainable housing.

 

Recommendation: Continued reform of Ireland’s planning system, building on progress made in the Planning and Development Act 2023, to further support certainty of timeframe and process on planning applications.  

Result: Implement the Planning and Development Act 2024.  

Establish a Central Housing Construction Supply Unit in the Department of Housing to coordinate, monitor and track all major public sector construction projects to ensure accelerated delivery. 
 
Establish a new procedure for large developments above 100 units where a developer can meet local authority planners and Uisce Éireann on site to iron out issues at pre-planning stage. 

 

Recommendation: Further strengthening the planning process with the provision of greater resources to planning bodies, and the implementation more efficient timelines for decision-making, and for the appeals process.  

Result: Fully resource the Ministerial Action Plan on Planning resources including the recruitment of additional planning staff to help deliver homes faster. Ensure the Planning and Environment Court is sufficiently resourced to swiftly deal with planning litigation.  
 

 

ENERGY: 

The delivery and accessibility of secure, reliable and renewable energy is paramount to Ireland’s ability to continue to attract FDI and continue economic growth. AmCham has continually advocated for a clear roadmap to be developed by Government to set out Ireland’s path to being an energy leader in the EU.   

Recommendation: Accelerating the development of renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, wave, solar and green hydrogen.  

Result: Establish national renewable energy clusters, co-located with training and education centres, to allow local people to benefit from jobs and investment opportunities.  

Move to holding at least one Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction per year to ensure that Ireland continues to bring renewable energy projects onstream at a fast pace. 

Ensure that cutting-edge research and development in renewable energy is supported, including in wave, tidal, and hydrogen energy, and utilise a number of test sites. 

 

Recommendation: Assessing green finance and sustainable investment in Ireland in terms of its competitiveness.  

Result: Enhance Ireland’s funds and asset management offerings to position Ireland as a leading hub for Sustainable and Green Finance, catering to evolving investor needs and the drive for better access to sustainable capital.  

 

Recommendation: Advancing a medium- to long-term strategy focused on energy self-sufficiency and exports.  

Result: Prioritise investment into our electricity grid to update our power generation systems to enhance security and affordability for consumers and businesses.  

Develop and accelerate the roll-out of new electricity interconnectors, to ensure Ireland is well positioned to be a net exporter of electricity to the UK and the EU. 

 

Recommendation: Providing strategic investments and loans to facilitate and support near-shoring of waste management infrastructure on the island, particularly for materials which are currently exported overseas and where a case can be made, with funding, to move that process closer to the point of collection. 

 
Result: Support development of waste management infrastructure. Assess the need for a new waste to energy facility and maintain a renewed focus on zero waste infrastructure.  

 

Recommendation: Accelerating and expanding investment in the energy grid to provide the capacity needed to cater for current and future power needs.  

Result: Ensure that the necessary investment is made through the electricity transmission and distribution system by operators in the electricity grid. Explore how a range of other funding sources, such as from the European Investment Bank, can be utilised. Prioritise investment into our electricity grid to update our power generation systems to enhance security and affordability for consumers and businesses.  

 

Recommendation: Furthering the cross-border sharing of electricity and enhance interconnection.  

Result: Develop and accelerate the roll-out of new electricity interconnectors, to ensure Ireland is well positioned to be a net exporter of electricity to the UK and the EU. 

 
Support the development of an interconnected energy market within the EU. 

 

Recommendation: Facilitating off-grid private infrastructure development utilising private wires.  

Result: Expedite the publication of a Private Wires Policy Framework. 

 

 

INFRASTRUCTURE: 

AmCham has been a vocal advocate for a significant increase in investment in Ireland’s physical and digital infrastructure. By enhancing the State’s connectivity and developing an ever more proactive approach to the infrastructural needs of industry and wider society, Ireland can maintain a position of competitive advantage and growth. 

 

Recommendation: Delivering increased investment in critical infrastructure projects to address existing capacity challenges and provide the necessary capacity to support future growth, with clear targets against which to measure progress.  

Result: Create a dedicated Infrastructure Division in a re-named Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The Division will be led by a Deputy Secretary General.  

Create a Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure, chaired by the Taoiseach, to drive infrastructural delivery, accountability and value for money. 

 
Recommendation: Accelerating delivery of infrastructure to facilitate the import and use of sustainable aviation fuels, namely storage and blending facilities.  

Result: Develop a National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Policy Roadmap and support Shannon Airport as a hub for testing new aviation technologies.  

 

Recommendation: Developing of Dublin Airport’s capacity for growth, including the accommodation of increasing passenger numbers.  

Result: Work with stakeholders to achieve our objective of lifting the passenger cap at Dublin airport as soon as possible.  

 

Recommendation: Supporting Ireland’s regional airports, including Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Knock, and Shannon, with a view to delivering balanced air connectivity.  

Result: Conduct a review of National Aviation Policy to maximise use of our airports in the regions including Donegal, Ireland West (Knock), Shannon, Cork and Kerry.  

Continue to invest in the Regional Airports Programme and develop a new Regional Airports Programme 2026- 2030. 
 

Recommendation: Delivering enhanced walking and cycling infrastructure in addition to micro-mobility solutions.  

Result: Invest in dedicated infrastructure for walking and cycling, in consultation with communities and people of all abilities including older people and people with disabilities, to promote active travel across Ireland for those commuting or enjoying the countryside.  

 

Recommendation: Expanding of the electric vehicle charging network, and supporting the use of electric vehicles.  

Result: Establish mobility hubs in each local authority area, offering integrated transport services like bike and scooter sharing, EV charging, car sharing, and carpooling. 

 
Develop a new National EV Infrastructure Strategy which ensures EV charging is ahead of demand and in line with EU mandated obligations, including neighbourhood charging for those who do not have access to home charging and charging across the main transport arteries. 
 
Substantially increase the number of publicly available EV charging points, ensuring better coverage nationwide, and reduce the average distance between EV recharging points. 

 

TALENT & SKILLS:  
The continued development of a skilled workforce is critical to Ireland’s competitiveness and attractiveness for investment. AmCham has recommended numerous measures Government can take to continue to develop a strong domestic talent pipeline, and attract world leading talent from abroad.  
 

Recommendation: Prioritising lifelong learning and micro-credentials to ensure Ireland has a dynamic workforce which can quickly pivot alongside rapid change in skills needs by businesses.  

Result: Work with industry and higher education institutes to provide expanded programmes of short and micro credential courses to upskill/reskill our pool of talented people for future jobs.  

Ensure new courses in Green Skills supporting Ireland’s transition to a green economy. 

Enable the transformation of Technological Universities to more comprehensively deliver on the skills and innovation by introducing new academic career paths, contracts and professorships in TUs. 
 

 

Recommendation: Attracting and retaining world-class researchers and educators into Ireland’s tertiary education system.  

Result: Increase funding for research which adds value to our economy, grows future job opportunities, and strengthens our competitiveness.  

Increase supports available to PhD or early post-doctoral students to encourage emerging researchers. 
 
Foster closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry, formalising postdoctoral employment structures and funding graduate research programmes to sustain economic growth. 
 
Increase financial support to postgraduate students particularly in areas of critical skills shortages. 
 

 

Recommendation: Expanding apprenticeships in line with industry skills gaps.  

Result: Grow apprenticeship registrations to at least 12,500 by 2030, and develop and launch a new 5-year Apprenticeship Action Plan for 2026-2030 to set a strategic vision for the sector and expand the skills categories.  

Work with the National Skills Council to update apprenticeship curriculums to meet today’s industry standards. 
 

Recommendation: Increasing the focus on STEM subjects in primary and secondary education and to closing the gender gap in STEM.  

Result: Encourage greater STEM uptake in further and higher education.  

Advance education, training and maintenance of new digital skills and capacities, and particularly STEM subjects, with a special focus on girls (universal access to coding, maths and ICT classes), through training and lifelong learning, and to prioritise diversity and inclusion in STEM. 
 

Recommendation: Appointing a national champion for languages to support language development, ensuring talent in Ireland is best placed to support Ireland’s ambitions within the EU and on the global stage.  

Result: Increase the take-up of foreign languages in our schools and expand the teaching of modern foreign languages in primary schools.  

 

Recommendation: Introducing initiatives to attract and support more students pursuing doctoral studies.  

Result: Foster closer collaboration between educational institutions and industry, formalising postdoctoral employment structures and funding graduate research programmes to sustain economic growth.  

 

Recommendation: Expanding programmes that facilitate collaboration among, foster research partnerships and invest in university talent pipelines.  

Result: Establish five new cluster organisations to facilitate collaboration and collective action among related companies, as well as partnerships with higher education institutions and public sector bodies under a new National Clustering Programme.  

 

Recommendation: Providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ visa and permits model, informed by international best practice.  

Result: Merge the visa and employment permit system into one user-friendly single application procedure supported by a new ICT system.  
Introduce expedited visa options for high-demand sectors to facilitate quicker entry for skilled professionals. 
 
Increase investment and resources to support faster processing of legal migration visas and permissions. 
 

 

Recommendation: Reducing the personal tax burden on employees to support the attraction and retention of talent.  

Result: Implement progressive changes in taxation if the economy remains strong, including indexing credits and bands to prevent an increase in the real burden of income tax. 

 

HEALTHCARE:  

Ireland is home to leading pharmaceutical and med-tech industries, playing a significant role in the Irish economy. AmCham continues to advocate for increased Government investment in the health and related sectors, allowing for more innovation, research and development. Moreover, improving access to, and delivery of, leading healthcare options in Ireland will increase the State’s ability to retain talent in Ireland. 

 
Recommendation: Attracting and retaining world-class clinicians as a matter of priority.  

Result: Establish an advanced leadership training programme for managers and senior clinicians.  

 

Recommendation: Increasing healthcare staff recruitment.  

Result: Increase the number of healthcare college places in nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and health and social care professions (including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy).  

Increase the number of consultants in emergency medicine by a further 50% and ensure more senior staff are rostered in emergency departments during weekends and public holidays for better decision-making. 
 

 

Recommendation: Enhancing Ireland as a location for clinical research.  

Result: Increase the number of clinical trials and examine how better to support clinicians, researchers, and support staff to focus on clinical trial activities.  

 

Recommendation: Advancing a fully digitalised healthcare system.  

Result: Continue to work towards the full digitisation of Irish healthcare records and information systems.  
Launch a National Patient App, giving patients easier access to their health information.  
 
Establish a national system for electronic prescribing.  
 
Develop an AI in Health strategy. 
 

 

TAXATION:  
AmCham has championed the need for greater Government support for RD&I in Ireland, a key driver of innovation and growth across multiple sectors. It is in Ireland’s economic interest to develop a robust and vibrant RD&I ecosystem and to attract first class talent to Ireland. Moreover, creating a simplified tax code to reduce the burden on businesses further increases Ireland competitiveness and attractiveness for FDI.   
 

Recommendation: Providing greater certainty and faster timelines in the R&D tax credit process to support business. And to provide consideration to allowing all, or a portion, of the affiliate spend in the qualifying expenditure for the R&D tax credit, where the Irish company is the principal intellectual property owner.  

Result: Examine options to enhance the Research and Development Tax Credit, reward innovation and digitalisation and ensure Ireland has the global best in class incentive to encourage innovation by domestic and international companies.  

 

Recommendation: Advancing simplification of the Irish tax code.  

Result: Continue to review and simplify the current Business and Enterprise Tax system to promote innovation and economic growth.  

 

 

DIGITALISATION: 

 Harnessing the digitalisation of the Irish economy, and society, as well as championing technologies such as AI and Quantum computing, Ireland can establish itself as a leading hub for innovation and importantly the regulatory framework across the EU. AmCham is leading calls for the Government to enact policies that put Ireland at the forefront of these issues.   

 

Recommendation: Advancing the digitalisation of public services, with clear KPIs against which to measure progress.  

Result: Support the work of the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) in the digitalisation of public services.  

Provide citizens with the choice of better public services online, while increasing the efficiency of service delivery though digitalisation of public services, particularly in health. 
 

 

Recommendation: Providing multi-annual, ringfenced funding for the acceleration in delivery of the National Digital Strategy, with a focus on cybersecurity, digital literacy, and emerging technologies including generative A.I. and immersive technologies.  

Result: Publish and implement a new National Digital Strategy to fully realise the economic potential of the digital and AI revolution, and the development of new clean technologies which can be key drivers of growth and the decarbonisation of our economy.  

 

Recommendation: Accelerating the rollout of the National Broadband Plan.  

Result: Complete installing high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.  

Tackle broadband blackspots that are not included in the National Broadband Plan Intervention Area currently and which will unlikely be served by commercial operators. 
 

 

Recommendation: Protecting Ireland’s position as a digital regulatory hub within the EU. 

 
Result: Invest to make Ireland an EU centre of expertise for digital and data regulation and being a regulatory hub for companies operating across the EU Digital Single Market.  

 

Recommendation: Advancing digital literacy and digital skills.  

Result: Invest in digital skills at all levels, from basic digital literacy for all citizens to being a leader in higher education and research in areas like Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.  

 

Recommendation: Enhancing digital literacy in primary and secondary education.  

Result: Improve teaching and learning methods, especially as schools adapt to digital learning and the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.  
 

CYBER SECURITY: 

With a changing geopolitical landscape and emerging threats in cyberspace, and to digital infrastructure, it is vital that the Irish Government put in place the resources and framework to ensure that security and defence apparatus are prepared for any and all events. To that end, AmCham has advocated for an increase in investment and supports for businesses in relation to cyber security. 

 

Recommendation: Ensuring the necessary investment and resourcing is provided to the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and the Commission for Communications Regulation, alongside other regulators where cybersecurity skills are required.  

Result: Deliver a new National Cybersecurity Strategy in 2025 and promote a centre of excellence for cyber security skills.  

 

Recommendation: Benchmarking and measuring Ireland’s progress in maintaining cybersecurity best practice against global standards.  

Result: Bring the National Centre for Cyber Security and the National Security Authority under the remit of the Department of Justice to ensure proper alignment of national security infrastructure.  

 

Recommendation: Working with international partners to leverage their experience on cybersecurity and ensure Ireland is prepared to manage any potential threats.  

Result: Prepare a revised National Security Strategy which reflects the changed geo-political landscape that Europe and Ireland confronts. This will ensure a whole of Government approach to defence and deterrence. 

 

Recommendation: Ensuring public services, including An Garda Síochána and the judicial service, have the training and skills necessary to manage cyber-threats and effectively detect and prosecute cybercrime.  

Result: Increase funding for the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau to ensure that cyber forensics keep pace with modern technology.  

Establish a Cyber Security Centre of Excellence around a Cluster of Third Level Education facilities and related industry. 
 

Recommendation: Supporting, and engaging with, companies and particularly SMEs in relation to regulations which may impact them in terms of cybersecurity protection, and opportunities which may result from A.I. adoption.  

Result: Support SMEs to adopt and implement best practice for Cyber Security. 
 
Ensure that small businesses are helped to achieve basic digital intensity, towards the target of 90% by 2030.