Budget 2026: What it means for Irish households and businesses

An expert panel gives their thoughts on a budget devoid of generous once-off measures

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Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced a package of €9.5 billion worth of spending and taxation measures. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe announced a package of €9.5 billion worth of spending and taxation measures. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire

It’s budget day with the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, announcing a package of €9.5 billion worth of spending and taxation measures.

So, who were the winners and losers? What difference will the budget make to the delivery of new housing? And is there anything in the budget for families or those paying through the nose for childcare?

To tease out the various measures in the budget, host Ciarán Hancock is joined by Cliff Taylor of the Irish Times, tax partner at EY Ireland, Frank O’Neill, president of the Restaurants Association of Ireland and co-founder of the Kinara restaurant group, Seán Collender, and Irish Times political correspondent Ellen Coyne.

Produced by John Casey.

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