Budget 2026: €10 increase to core social welfare rates; minimum wage hike; Vat changes

The country's minimum wage will jump to €14.15 while there will be a €10 increase to all core social welfare rates. The price of a box of 20 cigarettes will be hiked by 50c from midnight.

At The Groves Bar in Blackpool, punters swallow the latest Budget news along with their afternoon pints.

A social welfare boost, Vat changes, a minimum wage price hike, and a new derelict property tax have all been announced by the Government as part of Budget 2026. 

Here's how the day played out as Paschal Donohoe and Jack Chambers announced Budget 2026.