#Budget 2026

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#Budget 2026

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Tánaiste Simon Harris: 'The commitments that we have given during the election and in our programme for government must be delivered. But some of them will take a number of budgets to deliver.'</p>

columnists

Paul Hosford: Annual budget strategy has to pivot to long-termism

Tánaiste Simon Harris said Budget 2026 should be ‘seen as the first instalment of five’ but why not look at the budget in the overall context of the lives of the people in Ireland between now and 2050 or later

<p>Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland Gabriel Makhlouf. Picture: RollingNews.ie</p>

politics

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

<p>Bord Gáis said it will raise prices by 13.5% for unit rates of electricity while standing charges will rise 12% from October 12.</p>

news

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

Construction of new homes at Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent.

comment-analysis

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

Medium Term Expenditure Framework

politics

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

Mother and son looking out of window

news

Systemic barriers are keeping families in poverty, summit hears

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

Government press conference

ieExplains: What are the summer economic statement and the National Development Plan?

Budget 2026 will be unveiled on October 7 with an overall package worth €9.4bn

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Taoiseach defends lack of detail in National Development Plan

Taoiseach defends lack of detail in National Development Plan

Details of how each department intends to spend its money will not be unveiled until October

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Government press conference

Economic statement shows public finances 'not as healthy as the headline figures suggest'

Summer Economic Statement shows Government will have €7.9bn to spend and a total of €1.5bn with which to make tax cuts in Budget 2026

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Tariff uncertainty means 'tighter' spending for Budget 2026

Tariff uncertainty means 'tighter' spending for Budget 2026

Budget is expected to focus on 'stability of the public finances'

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Stressed unhappy young woman sitting on sofa.

Next budget gives State chance to prove young people are a genuine priority

Engaging with our generation is key to ensure October’s budget supports meaningful policy change that will improve the lives of young people across the country

Tue, 22 Jul, 2025

Housing is ‘central focus’ of €30bn plan to boost investment and protect economy

Housing is ‘central focus’ of €30bn plan to boost investment and protect economy

Aims of the updated National Development Plan include enabling Irish Water provide connections for new housing developments

Sun, 20 Jul, 2025

Disability groups challenge Government to 'show me the money' in budget

Disability groups challenge Government to 'show me the money' in budget

Inclusion Ireland data shows social welfare supports do not match the needs of 66% of adults with an intellectual disability

Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

Calculating energy efficiency and energy bill papers

High utility prices means families cannot take 'shock' of cancelled energy credits, opposition says

Simon Harris took aim at Sinn Féin finance spokesperson Pearse Doherty for Dáil contributions by himself and other Sinn Féin TDs which suggested that SuperValu was owned by an American multinational

Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

Sad boy standing alone in the hallway

'Austerity' Budget would be 'unsustainable and dangerous' for charities

Budget 2026 is likely to be more restrained than previous years

Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

Housing and planning measures

Micheál Martin and Mary Lou McDonald clash over inflation pressures on families

McDonald accused the Government of preparing to throw families “under the bus” in the upcoming budget, while Mr Martin said the Sinn Féin leader was “oblivious” to the economic climate

Wed, 16 Jul, 2025

Cost of living crisis

'I hate asking parents for money': Primary schools struggle amid the cost-of-living crisis

School principals in Limerick and Louth tell Jess Casey the forthcoming capitation grant rise will not be enough amid surging prices of everything from utilities to insurance

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Child poverty

Charity calls for targeted measures to help financially insecure families with soaring cost of living

'Rising poverty and homelessness rates should not be happening in a wealthy country with a growing economy'

Tue, 15 Jul, 2025

Close up spouses calculating family budget paying online using laptop

MABS sees 10% surge in families in debt due to soaring cost of living

Money Advice and Budgeting Service calls for targeted supports in Budget 2026 amid spiralling cost of housing and utilities

Mon, 14 Jul, 2025