News

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 […]

League of Ireland academies are set to receive €3m in funding from the Government. The details of Budget 2026 will be revealed later, but RTÉ Sport understands that the funding will fall short of the €4.45m requested by the FAI in their pre-budget submission. The administration of the multiannual funding is expected to come through […]

The Minister for Finance has announced that as of 1 January 2026, the national minimum wage will increase by €0.65 per hour to €14.15 per hour. Linked to that, the ceiling for the USC 2% rate band will be increased by €1,318 to €28,700. “This increase will ensure that full-time workers on the minimum wage […]

The Government will reduce the VAT rate on the sale of completed apartments to 9% from 13.5%, from tonight until the end of December 2030. Announcing Budget 2026, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said this reduction will help address the “viability gap” in apartment construction. He said it is part of a social policy to […]

Bitcoin reached a new record high yesterday, rising above the $125,000 mark. The cryptocurrency reached $125,689, shooting above its previous August record of around $124,500. Bitcoin has enjoyed a strong upward momentum with investors cautious about the US government shutdown. Gains in US shares have also supported bitcoin’s rise, while investors have looked to safe […]

The Government is going to unveil a “pro-investment” Budget this afternoon with limited benefits for middle income workers. There will be a €10 increase in the State Pension and social welfare rates. There will be 860 additional special education teachers and 1,700 new special needs assistants. The Basic Income for artists of €325 per week […]

A €10 increase in the State pension and Social Protection rates is expected in today’s Budget. The Budget will also see mortgage interest relief, which has benefitted more than 60,000 householders, extended for another year before being gradually phased out in 2027. The income disregard for the Carer’s Allowance, a big issue for the Independents […]