#Budget 2026

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#Budget 2026

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>It is understood that the Low Pay Commission is to recommend the Government increase the minimum wage by 5% in the upcoming budget bringing the hourly rate up from €13.50 an hour to €14.15 an hour. File photo: Patrick Bolger/Bloomberg</p>

economy

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

<p>People Before Profit's Paul Murphy said: 'The Government claims it wants to address child poverty in the Budget - if it is serious at all it must abolish sub-minimum pay rates for young workers and increase the National Minimum Wage to €17 an hour for all workers.' File photo: Brian Lawless/PA</p>

politics

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

<p>Micheál Martin said that the Central Bank also remarked on the resilience of the Irish economy, adding that there must be increased investment in infrastructure. File Picture: Damien Eagers</p>

politics

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

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

politics

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

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

economy

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

Month revenue of young couple

news

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

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

Graduation stock

College student fees to be cut by up to €500 in Budget 2026

October budget measure comes as 'middle Ireland needs a break' — but second tier of child benefit for lower-income parents ruled out

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

School stock

Early years education 'will continue to struggle unless staff get pay parity'

Early Childhood Ireland says low pay and poor conditions are pushing educators and graduates to leave the sector, leaving staff vacancy rates of up to 63%

Mon, 15 Sep, 2025

Second tier of child benefit will not be rolled out as part of Budget 2026, says Calleary

Second tier of child benefit will not be rolled out as part of Budget 2026, says Calleary

This is despite Taoiseach Micheál Martin suggesting last week that it would be

Sun, 14 Sep, 2025

'Untargeted' tax reliefs in budget puts Government at risk of abuse, Central Bank warns

'Untargeted' tax reliefs in budget puts Government at risk of abuse, Central Bank warns

Central Bank Governor Gabriel Makhlouf warns against introduction of broad fiscal reliefs

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025

Simon Harris at sod turning ceremony

Paul Hosford: Ireland needs long-term budgets that look beyond short-term politics

Simon Harris wants budgets judged as part of a five-year cycle — but true long-termism demands vision beyond elections

Sat, 13 Sep, 2025

Electric bill charges paper

Customers face massive spike in bills as Bord Gáis and Pinergy hike electricity prices

Public facing further €200 being added to energy bills with numbers in arrears already at a 'historical' high

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Construction of new homes at Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent.

Ciarán Casey: Lack of vision has wasted Ireland's unplanned tax windfall

The pageantry of Budget Day means that politicians will aim to avoid landmines, then go back to business as usual, writes Ciarán Casey

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025

Medium Term Expenditure Framework

Divisions emerge in Coalition as ministers 'will have to sing for their supper' in future budgets

Senior source said Jack Chambers has advised ministers they will have to 'justify and make a business case' for their budgets

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Mother and son looking out of window

Systemic barriers are keeping families in poverty, summit hears

Group representing single-parent families tells Child Poverty and Well-being Summit we need the political will to address child poverty and deprivation

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity

Government to introduce second tier of child benefit in upcoming budget, says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin confirmed plans for a second-tier child benefit while ruling out once-off supports, saying measures must target poverty risk

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Coronavirus - Mon May 18, 2020

Council says it can provide expertise to Cork developers to build wastewater treatment plants

Council said there are areas around the county where such pilot schemes would work and boost housing stock

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

Food prices

Food inflation at highest level in two years, CSO reveals

The CSO said consumer prices rose by 2% in the year to August, compared to an annual reading of 1.7% a month earlier

Thu, 11 Sep, 2025

travel background

As three in five under-25s consider leaving the country, we must act to help young people

Young people's needs are continually neglected even though they are disproportionately impacted by the housing crisis, writes Kathryn Walsh

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Energia announces 10.9% electricity price hike as households warned of ‘new normal’ for bills

Energia announces 10.9% electricity price hike as households warned of ‘new normal’ for bills

Households face steep winter energy hikes as Energia confirms price rises, while Government insists support must be permanent, not once-off

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Katherine Zappone appointment

Harris pushes developer tax reliefs as Donohoe rejects return to Celtic Tiger-era incentives

Tánaiste Simon Harris signals support for targeted tax reliefs in October budget, but Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe remains firmly opposed

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway

Housing costs drag 20% of Irish children into poverty, ESRI research shows

The ESRI shows that child poverty levels are currently on a par with the years following the 2008 financial crash when the skyrocketing cost of housing is factored in

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Irish Budget 2025

Watchdog says Budget being planned with no ‘clear roadmap’ on fiscal policy

The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has also recommended a reduction in the planned Budget package amid “high uncertainty”.

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Fine Gael think-in

Paul Hosford: We should not shy away from speaking out when the line is crossed

Politicians know if they were to bow to the pressure of the worst impulses of the worst people, they would create an Ireland whereby the ballot box matters less than the furthest a person is willing to go

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Fine Gael think-in

Tax breaks for developers up for discussion as part of Fine Gael solution to housing crisis

Tánaiste Simon Harris said there will be a requirement for developers to 'get on with it'

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway

Children’s Ombudsman and Tusla chief to address seminar on our most vulnerable children

End Child Poverty Week is intended to highlight child poverty and its impact on children, young people, and families, ahead of Budget 2026

Mon, 08 Sep, 2025

Health minister warns current spending levels are 'not sustainable'

Health minister warns current spending levels are 'not sustainable'

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill says infrastructure, surgical hubs and capacity expansion must take priority as rising health spending proves unsustainable

Fri, 05 Sep, 2025

Solar panel installation on residential house

Budget must help households cut emissions, says advisory council

The Climate Change Advisory Council said the Government must boost supports for home retrofitting, heat pumps, and solar panels

Wed, 03 Sep, 2025

Boy using asthma inhaler to treat inflammatory disease, wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Allergy tre

When our homes are making us unwell, housing becomes a health issue

Budget 2026 is an opportunity for the Government to show leadership by supporting a healthy population and healthy housing, writes Eilís Ní Chaithnía

Mon, 01 Sep, 2025

Senior man with grandaughter gardening in the backyard garden.

Kieran Coughlan: Budget must balance protecting Agricultural Relief with curbing abuse

Beneficiaries who avail of Agricultural Relief see the taxable value of the gift or inheritance of 'agricultural property' (including farmland, buildings, stock) reduced by 90%

Fri, 29 Aug, 2025

Parked Cars Are Neatly Lined Up In The Parking Area Of A Hospital

An SUV tax won’t save us — Ireland needs bold climate action in Budget 2026

Budget 2026 must move beyond token measures like SUV taxes and prioritise a just transition that protects all Irish people

Sat, 23 Aug, 2025

Restaurants Association chief says Vat cut is not taxpayers 'subsidising' the food service sector

Restaurants Association chief says Vat cut is not taxpayers 'subsidising' the food service sector

Vat rate cut from 13% to 9% expected to cost €674.6m and to make up 45% of the overall Budget 2026 tax package

Tue, 19 Aug, 2025

Childcare survey

Nearly 900 childcare providers approved to raise fees despite State funding

Government data shows almost 900 State-funded childcare providers approved to raise fees this year, despite ongoing subsidy supports for parents

Sat, 16 Aug, 2025

Paul Hosford: What will it take to put childcare front and centre in the national conversation?

Paul Hosford: What will it take to put childcare front and centre in the national conversation?

For 20% of families, fees have not only not gone down, they have gone up in the months following an election in which the prohibitive cost of childcare was a key factor

Sat, 16 Aug, 2025

Budget supports for life sciences firms hit by US tariffs a 'priority', says finance minister

Budget supports for life sciences firms hit by US tariffs a 'priority', says finance minister

Paschal Donohoe once again reiterated that there will be no cost-of-living package in October's Budget

Wed, 13 Aug, 2025

Apple tax bill

Exchequer surplus to the end of July rises, but drops if Apple tax money excluded

Exchequer receipts up to the end of July, which were released on Wednesday, show that the €4.1bn surplus compares to a surplus of €3.4bn recorded in the same period last year

Wed, 06 Aug, 2025

Key Speakers At Central Bank of Ireland Financial Systems Conference

Central Bank governor warns Budget plan risks overheating economy

'There’s a risk that we’re in the wrong place,' said Gabriel Makhlouf

Sun, 03 Aug, 2025

Ireland avoids ‘catastrophic’ US tariffs as pharma duties decision due within two weeks

Ireland avoids ‘catastrophic’ US tariffs as pharma duties decision due within two weeks

Simon Harris says EU deal averted severe trade fallout, but warns key sectors still face uncertainty in coming days

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Alcohol Drinking - Stock

Reducing Vat rate a blunt and costly policy instrument for hospitality

The sector was subject to the lower Vat rate of 9% from 2011 to 2018, and again from late 2020 to mid-2023 at an estimated cost of €3.6bn

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

O’Brien wants lower 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas extended to 2026

O’Brien wants lower 9% VAT rate on electricity and gas extended to 2026

Darragh O’Brien wants the lower VAT rate on electricity and gas kept into 2026 to ease pressure on households

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Ireland’s most regionally important industry is signalling distress — is Government listening?

Ireland’s most regionally important industry is signalling distress — is Government listening?

Despite signs of strength, tourism leaders warn Ireland’s competitiveness and connectivity are eroding without urgent government support

Thu, 31 Jul, 2025

Excessive regulation delaying key infrastructure projects, Cabinet to hear

Excessive regulation delaying key infrastructure projects, Cabinet to hear

The department report will also outline areas of international best practice that are being examined as potential solutions in Ireland

Tue, 29 Jul, 2025

Call for Government to republish summer budget projections after US-EU trade deal

Call for Government to republish summer budget projections after US-EU trade deal

Finance minister Paschal Donohoe said that re-issuing the summer economic statement would not make sense as it is merely a statement of policy and not a prescriptive set of accounts

Mon, 28 Jul, 2025

Caucasian waitress stacking wine glasses in restaurant

Paul Hosford: Public patience has limits — especially when their tax cut is on the line

Budget choices reveal deeper values, but without clear public benefit, a VAT cut risks being seen as a giveaway for business

Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Cozy restaurant for gathering with friends

Gym tax credit, vape levy, and VAT cuts among Budget 2026 options in new strategy papers

Government advisers warn splitting VAT for hospitality could risk tax fraud, while plans for gym credits and vape levies face scrutiny

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025

Government may delay hospitality Vat cut to mid-2026 amid budget tradeoffs

Government may delay hospitality Vat cut to mid-2026 amid budget tradeoffs

A potential delay to the VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% could free up nearly €1bn for other measures

Thu, 24 Jul, 2025