McCormack calls for action in support of 'struggling town centres'

Deputy Tony McCormack, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on SMEs and Enterprise, has issued a strong call for co-ordinated Government action to support struggling town centres across Offaly and nationwide, warning that the decline of high street retail is not just an economic challenge but a community crisis.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy McCormack highlighted the growing pressures on retail in towns such as Tullamore, Birr, and Edenderry. With more businesses closing and fewer people visiting town centres, he said urgent steps are needed to reverse the trend.

“Our high streets are the heartbeat of our towns,” he said. “They create jobs, support families, and provide young people with opportunities to work while studying. They offer meaningful careers and foster strong social connections. Local businesses often know and support their customers in ways that go far beyond transactions—they are part of the fabric of our communities.”

Deputy McCormack welcomed the forthcoming “Over the Shop” grant scheme as a positive step forward, designed to bring life back into vacant spaces and encourage more people to live in town centres. He also acknowledged that other programmes currently being developed have the potential to help.

“These initiatives are welcome, and they show that progress is being made. But we need to get this right—or more importantly, we can’t afford to get it wrong. If we allow our town centres to decline any further, we may reach a point where the damage is irreversible.”

As a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy McCormack has been consistently pushing for a comprehensive approach to support SMEs and revive high street retail. He is calling for more cross-departmental collaboration, addressing not only business supports, but also planning, transport, digital infrastructure and commercial rates.

“We need to stop thinking about retail in the old way. Online shopping is here to stay, but that doesn't mean we surrender our town centres to decline. We can—and must—reimagine and invest in them. That means proactive policies and targeted incentives that make it viable and attractive to do business locally.”

He added that high streets offer benefits that online platforms never will: “These businesses care about their communities. They employ local people, support local causes, and often look out for the most vulnerable. If we lose them, we don’t just lose shops—we lose part of who we are.”

Deputy McCormack’s message is clear: with the right approach, revitalisation is possible—but time is of the essence. “Government must act boldly and think creatively. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of investment. We must protect the heart of our towns while we still can.”