Harris reiterates Government's commitment to Midlands Hospice

The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance has reiterated the Government’s full commitment to the delivery of the Midlands Regional Hospice in Tullamore.

Simon Harris’s comments were made in Tullamore last week, and came in the wake of concerns about a possible delay to the project due to a funding shortfall.

Planning permission was secured this year for the proposed new 20-bed hospice facility at Arden Lane, Tullamore, following a major controversy over both the location for the project and the planning approval.

It emerged last month that the Department of Health was engaged in a process to drive down the estimated €40m cost of the project, which is in excess of €12m above the current allocated budget.

The Tánaiste made his remarks while attending the annual Offaly Fine Gael Budget Breakfast last Friday, where ‘rewarding work, supporting families, and backing local businesses’ were the themes of the gathering.

The event, in the Tullamore Court Hotel, brought together a broad cross-section of Offaly’s business community, farmers, employers, disability, community and sport organisations, public representatives and individuals from several national representative groups.

Deputy Clendennen said: “I was delighted to welcome An Tánaiste Simon Harris to Offaly for his first public event since returning from paternity leave, and was particularly pleased to see such a broad range of businesses, organisations and community groups from across all corners of Offaly taking the time to attend.

“The message was clear, work must pay, effort must be rewarded, and people who work hard should have the opportunity to get ahead rather than simply getting by.”

Addressing the gathering, the Tánaiste outlined the €1.3 billion personal income tax package in Budget 2027, alongside measures to reduce childcare costs, ease energy pressures and encourage business investment.

Minister Harris emphasised that people earning the average wage should not be paying the higher rate of income tax, describing Budget 2027 as the beginning of further progress towards that objective.

The Tánaiste told attendees, “A strong economy must make a difference at the kitchen table. People should be able to see it in their pay packet, in the bills they can manage and, in the services available in their community.”

Highlighting growing international uncertainty, Deputy Clendennen said Ireland’s economic strength provided an important foundation for supporting households and businesses.

“There are very real geopolitical risks and economic pressures impacting all our lives," said the Offaly TD.

“We are fortunate to approach these challenges from a position of economic strength, giving Government the capacity to support families, invest in essential services and infrastructure, and protect and future proof our economy.

“The real measure of that strength is whether people feel the benefit in their homes, communities and everyday lives.”

During his address, the Tánaiste also acknowledged Deputy Clendennen’s business experience and his work highlighting Offaly’s priorities at Government level.

Concluding, Deputy Clendennen thanked the Tánaiste and everyone who attended.

"Offaly has enormous potential, with ambitious businesses and strong communities. My focus remains on securing investment, supporting enterprise, strengthening services and infrastructure, and ensuring families can build a secure future," he said.

"A strong economy must translate into a better quality of life for everyone, and I am determined to ensure those benefits are felt in every corner of our county."