The Government has described Budget 2026 as “sensible” and one which will “protect jobs and protect growth” in Ireland given an uncertain global economy. But some Opposition members have described it as “very disappointing”, with “ordinary people left in the cold” given a lack of a distinct cost-of-living package and no changes to personal income […]
A record level of total funding of €27.4bn will be allocated to the Department of Health for 2026. The overall health budget next year will be over €27.3bn, which includes current and capital spending. It represents an increase of €1.5bn or 6.2%. Day to day spending will be over €25.7bn – an increase of 5% […]
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers has announced an increase in the standard capitation rates paid to all schools. This will include, on a per pupil basis, €50 for primary and special schools (from €224 to €274), and €20 for post-primary schools (from €386 to €406). In addition, Mr Chambers said the Department’s €1.6bn capital […]
Minister Jack Chambers today has confirmed that he is allocating €1.5 billion to the Department of Culture, communications and sport. This will “build on the progress we have made,” he said. The minister announced that in terms of the Arts, the government is committing to deliver a “successor scheme” to the basic income scheme for […]
The Government has announced a weekly increase of €10 per person in a range of social protection payments from 2026, including: the State pension, disability allowance, carer’s allowance, jobseeker’s allowance and one-parent family payment. A Christmas bonus of a double payment for recipients of long-term social welfare schemes will be paid again this year. The […]
The duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes will be increased by 50c as part of Budget 2026. Excise duty on other tobacco products will be raised on a pro-rata basis, Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe told the Dáil. Smokers’ group Forest noted that the latest tax hike will push the cost of a pack […]
Carbon tax is to be increased to €71 per tonne of CO2 emitted and will be applied to auto fuels with effect from tomorrow, and to all other fuels from 1 May 2026. The Government said the additional revenue arising from the carbon tax increase is estimated at €121m in 2026, and the full-year additional […]
The Government has committed over €5bn in capital investment for housing delivery next year. This is in addition to investment by the Land Development Agency and Approved Housing Bodies. In his budget speech, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced €200m of additional external funding for Home Building Finance Ireland, which provides finance to homebuilders across […]
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe has said Budget 2026 will “invest in our future” while also securing current jobs, prosperity and stability. As he began his Budget Day speech in the Dail chamber, he said the first budget of this coalition Government’s term would deliver for citizens and “tackle the serious challenges of meeting our […]
The Government is reducing the VAT rate for food and catering businesses, and for hairdressing services from 13.5% down to 9%. The measure will come into effect from 1 July next year, and will cost €232m for 2026 and €681m in a full year. This VAT reduction is in line with a commitiment in the […]
