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

The Government of Tánaiste Simon Harris (left) and Taoiseach Micheal Martin (right) has a number of tricky weeks and months ahead with several issues likely to dominate the new Dáil term. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA

The Dáil is back from its summer holidays, and TDs have returned to Leinster House rested and refreshed following a busy year of elections in 2024.

They are now facing their first full year in the Dáil, hoping that it will have fewer twists and turns than the last.

The Government has a number of tricky weeks and months ahead with several issues likely to dominate the new Dáil term.

Cost of living

Although inflation may be falling, the Government has repeatedly acknowledged that prices are remaining high.

Budget 2026 will be unveiled on October 7 and, for the first time in a long time, there will be no cost-of-living package. This means no energy credits, fewer double payments, and a lot of grief for the Government.

With the impact of the US tariffs still largely unseen, the Government is at pains to say there will be a “return to normal budgeting”.

Children’s Health Ireland

Barely a week went by in the last Dáil where there was not a Children’s Health Ireland scandal of some description. As the date of the new National Children’s Hospital is pushed further back, the budget continues to rise.

On the Dáil’s first day back, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald mentioned the case of Harvey Morrisson-Sheratt, a nine-year-old scoliosis patient who died in July.

His parents, Stephen and Gillian, have lamented how long it took for their son to get the surgery he needed and have vowed to fight for better services for their son.

Aontú has suggested it will table a motion of no confidence in Tánaiste Simon Harris over the issue, meaning that it could dominate Dáil proceedings for months to come. All the while, the scoliosis waiting list is not getting any shorter.

Disability services

The Government’s inaction on disability matters has been brought to the fore since the Kanturk incident with Simon Harris during last November’s general election.

Campaigners like Tipperary teenager Cara Darmody have ensured that the lack of school places for children with additional needs remains on the agenda.

The appearance of Cobh mother Antoinette Burke at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Cork showed that the issue is going nowhere. She spoke of how her daughter Katie, 18, had been “failed by the State” and had not gotten the care she needed.

The Government launched its disability plan earlier this month. It will now need to prove it is more than empty words.

Presidential election

While technically not a race that will play out in the Dáil chamber, every move and every decision taken between now and then will impact the outcome.

Every decision made in the budget will have an impact, and every conversation between TDs will reflect on the candidates their party is backing.

While the politicians might be physically in Leinster House, their minds are on the campaign trail.

Housing

The Government knows if it does not get a handle on the housing crisis, its time is up at the next election.

Every projection says that the Government is set to miss its housing targets. The Government’s delayed housing plan should be published next month. 

If housing minister James Browne thought the pressure was high in the last Dáil term, he’ll see the heat turned up even further once the plan is out.