Budget 2026 - Irish Examiner

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<p>A living wage is the minimum income required for a single adult working full-time to achieve a socially acceptable minimum standard of living in Ireland. File photo</p>

economy

Group recommends another increase in living wage ahead of Budget 2026

Over the past year, the Living Wage Technical Group says minimum living costs increased by 5.8% for a working-age single adult, with rents accounting for two-thirds of the rise

<p>
<span lang="EN-US">Government sources indicated social protection minister Dara Calleary is pressing for the annual Christmas bonus double payments on key welfare entitlements, including the State pension and jobseekers allowance. </span>Picture: Jason Clarke</p>

politics

Double social welfare payment at Christmas on the cards for Budget 2026

<p>While it is understood higher education minister James Lawless would like to see fees permanently cut by €1,000, sources have indicated it is more likely to be in the region of a €500 cut.</p>

politics

Options 'on the table' to change student capitation grant, cutting annual college fees in budget

SMEs are facing more costs and changes than they can absorb, Cork business group warns

economy

SMEs are facing more costs and changes than they can absorb, Cork business group warns

US import tariffs

politics

'Bad budget' could impact outcome of presidential election

Vintage whiskey bottles in a row

economy

India surges as a key market for Irish whiskey as US sales slow

Protest against HSE proposal to shut Navan A&E

Calls to scrap Carer’s Allowance means test as 37% of claims are rejected

Government has said it will increase the income disregard for the carer’s allowance in each budget with a view to phasing it out before the end of its term in office in 2029

Sun, 28 Sep, 2025

Large Tourist Bus Travels Fast In The City

Budget 2026: Public transport fare hikes or service cuts on cards

Government may raid National Development Plan funds to plug €250m gap in 'public service obligation' transport

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Royal Canal Greenway opening

Government keen for efficiency in immigration system, says Donohoe

Increasing allowances for asylum seekers who leave the country voluntarily could be a way to make the immigration system more efficient, Paschal Donohoe has said.

Sat, 27 Sep, 2025

Social welfare €12 rise at risk as Budget 2026 talks hit deadlock

Social welfare €12 rise at risk as Budget 2026 talks hit deadlock

Plans for a €12 welfare hike face resistance as ministers clash over childcare fees, spending limits, and housing priorities

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

Person eating fish and polenta at restaurant

Just 10% of consumers see a hospitality Vat cut as a budget priority

Healthcare, housing, and cost of living among top priorities of Irish households, survey shows

Fri, 26 Sep, 2025

New house real estate concept keys by front door welcome mat

Home ownership a 'pipe dream' for single buyers with median purchaser income at €84,400

Nationally, the median price of a home was €345,000. The median price in Cork county was €340,000, with that number rising to €358,000 in Cork City

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Call for plain packaging for vapes

Government confirms new vape tax from November 1 as crackdown on youth use intensifies

From November, vape liquids will face new taxes and restrictions as Ireland ramps up public health measures on vaping.

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Loading platform made of scaffold system on housing development construction site

First Homes scheme will not cover second-hand houses in Budget 2026, Taoiseach says

Micheál Martin says October’s budget will prioritise boosting new housing supply, ruling out extending the First Homes scheme to second-hand properties

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Government press conference

Paschal Donohoe signals shift on developer tax breaks ahead of Budget 2026

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has softened his opposition to developer tax breaks as housing pressures mount ahead of Budget 2026

Thu, 25 Sep, 2025

Worried man checking bills and looking at financial analysis of expenses at home.

One-off payments failed to tackle poverty — what will work is to index social welfare rates to average wages

Benchmarking social welfare rates to average earnings would help to mitigate the impact of rising costs, give long-term certainty to households on fixed incomes, and prevent widening income inequality

Wed, 24 Sep, 2025

Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity

Simon Harris rules out coalition split over social welfare and pension increases

Tánaiste says government remains united on welfare increases, insisting child poverty must be prioritised in upcoming Budget talks

Tue, 23 Sep, 2025

Robotics Industry Four Engineering Facility Robot Arm Moving at Different Directions. High Tech Industrial Technology Using Mode

Ibec group Technology Ireland calls for investment in AI skills

Its director, Una Fitzpatrick, points out the National Training Fund has accumulated a significant surplus while many sectors continue to report critical skills shortages

Mon, 22 Sep, 2025

Young woman 20s attempting to read and understand her electricity meter reading and energy bill

Budget 2026: 9% Vat rate on gas and electricity should remain – Jack Chambers

Public expenditure minister said the 9% rate should be retained to prevent further price hikes for consumers

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Jim Power: Challenges for the Government are intensifying ahead of budget

Jim Power: Challenges for the Government are intensifying ahead of budget

The pressure on the Government to address spiralling prices of everyday staples with some sort of cost-of-living support will intensify over the next few weeks

Sun, 21 Sep, 2025

Government warns departments on runaway spending ahead of Budget 2026

Government warns departments on runaway spending ahead of Budget 2026

Cabinet warned runaway overspending across health, housing, and education could limit new policies in Budget 2026 without major savings

Sat, 20 Sep, 2025

Irish Economy As Latest Retail Figures Released

Business groups warn minimum wage hike will mean many retail staff 'will not have jobs'

Chief executive of Retail Excellence Ireland Jean McCabe said the Government must share the financial burden with tax relief

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Leinster House media briefings

Proposed minimum wage rise which retailers claim would 'decimate' them is 'stingy', says TD

The 5% increase, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission, would bring the minimum wage to €14.15 an hour

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Taoiseach accepts need to 'rein in spending' following Central Bank's warning

Taoiseach accepts need to 'rein in spending' following Central Bank's warning

Micheál Martin added that the impression that opposition politicians give is that the Government is 'spending very little' in the upcoming budget

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

A pensioner adjusting the temperature control on his combi boiler. Redcar, UK. 26/5/2021. Photograph: Stuart Boulton.

Government urged to reverse 'terrible decision' to withdraw energy credits in budget

In response, Simon Harris said Sinn Féin had had a 'bonkers idea' to keep energy prices down by 'giving taxpayers' money to energy companies'

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Budget 2026 spending package 'unnecessary' and 'too much', warns Central Bank

Budget 2026 spending package 'unnecessary' and 'too much', warns Central Bank

Consumer spending is expected to grow by 2% a year on average out to 2027

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Month revenue of young couple

Overheating the economy could 'hamper delivery of National Development Plan and housing targets'

ESRI to warn TDs about winding down cost-of-living measures

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity

The five major issues facing the Government as it returns from summer holidays

As well as next month's Budget, the Government will have the housing crisis and the presidential election to contend with

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

Grocery inflation

Wealth tax would allow for a cost-of-living package in next month's budget

Irrespective of how it would be funded, a significant Budget 2026 cost-of-living package needs to happen to help hard-pressed consumers facing soaring prices

Wed, 17 Sep, 2025

National Ploughing Championships 2025

Tánaiste says small businesses to benefit as Budget room for worker tax cuts narrows

Simon Harris says Budget 2026 will focus on small business, carers, and childcare, warning workers of limited tax cuts

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

Calleary to push for €12 increase in social welfare payments in budget

Calleary to push for €12 increase in social welfare payments in budget

However, ministers have been warned the budget this year will be starkly different to previous years

Tue, 16 Sep, 2025

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