Category Archives: News

Petrol and diesel to rise 2.5c per litre due to carbon tax increase, no electricity credits in 2026

There will be no one-off energy credits next year while increases in carbon tax will add around 2.5c to the cost of a litre of motor fuels from tomorrow. Between April 2022 and February 2025, Irish households received nine credits to their electricity bills, worth €1,500 and costing the State almost €3bn. However, as expected,…

At a glance: Here are the key points from Budget 2026

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…

Pensions, social welfare payments to rise by €10 weekly

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…

Budget 2026 & the arts: ‘successor scheme’ announced to Basic Income pilot

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…

Govt commits over €5bn investment for housing delivery next year

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…