An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2026-05-19
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Victor Boyhan (IND), Agricultural Panel

I acknowledge that the Government has approved a €750,000 support fund for businesses impacted by the devastating fire in the Tycor Business Centre in Waterford that we talked about last week. That was a devastating fire. It clearly had an impact on the community, the businesses there, and the social activities and the community activities in that centre. I learnt much about them from my colleague, Senator Conway, who of course was a city councillor there for many years. It has had an impact on over 200 jobs, between 30 and 40 small businesses, and community and social enterprise and schemes that are there. Our thoughts and our hearts are with them.
We also want to see that centre rebuilt. We want people to get back there. Clearly, the Tycor centre is a hub and has a serious impact on the community, and on enterprise and business, in the heart of Waterford. I acknowledge that payments of up to €5,000 have been made available for businesses, which will have to submit full applications and then eventually a follow-up with possibly €30,000 in funding. This approval has clearly come about by serious engagement with the Ministers of State, Deputy Butler and Deputy Cummins, by all of the local TDs, Senators, and my colleague, Senator Conway. I also acknowledge the very significant work by Waterford City and County Council, the officials and the fire services. Senator Scahill talked about the services there. We are fortunate in this country to have an amazing ambulance service, an amazing fire service and all of the responders in the health sector. This could have been a more devastating and damaging fire. We know about the environmental consequences from it too.
My ask here today is that the Government keeps it under constant review. I fear this may not be enough money but I am not qualified to say that. Having talked to stakeholders and people involved on the ground, there is a view that the Government should keep it under review. I think it will do that. This is not a criticism but I think we need to be actively keeping it under review. These businesses and this community have been devastated by this fire. It has been a great effort by all people in the services, particularly the Government, which stepped up with and advanced this funding. Hopefully, we will keep it under review.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-05-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:57+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-19