14.22PM
The Government is to establish a national artificial intelligence office
The pilot basic income scheme for artists is to be made permanent
14.16pm
500 euro reduction in the student contribution fee
Creating 1,100 new places for studying key health and social care professions
1,717 additional SNAs in 2026, 1,042 extra teaching posts including 860 additional special needs teachers and money to implement the DEIS+ plan
14.15PM
Extra 35,000 children set to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme
14.10PM
Fuel allowance will increase by €5 weekly to €38
Eligibility extended to all recipients of the working family payment
14.05PM
10 euro per week increase in the social welfare payment for 1.5m people
The social welfare Christmas Bonus for 1.5m people will be paid at a double rate of the normal payment
Back to school clothing and foot ware allowance extended to 2 & 3 year olds
1.56PM -
Minister Jack Chambers begun his speech as Gaeilge.
He has announced 12,500 extra public sector staff, which includes 3,370 in health, 2,600 in education and 1,000 Gardaí.
1.48PM
Minister Donohue commends the budget to the house.
Minister Donohue commends the budget to the house. Minister Jack Chambers has now begun his speech as Gaeilge
— Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) October 7, 2025
The 5,000 euro VRT relief on electric vehicles will be extended to the end of December 2026.
Carbon tax will rise to 71 euro per tonne from tomorrow for auto fuels, and other fuels from the 1st of May 2026.
1.43PM
50c added to a pack of 20 cigarettes with a pro rata increase on other tobacco products
1.33PM
The 481 film tax credit will be enhanced to provide a 40% rate for productions with a minimum spend of 1m on relevant visual effects work. Cap of 10m per production
The Digital Games Tax Credit extended to 31st December 2031 and to cover post release content work
The farm consolidation relief, farm restructuring relief, and young trained farmer reliefs are extended until the end of 2029
1.26PM -
The minimum wage will rise by 65c an hour to €14.15ph
9% VAT rate cut on gas and energy extended to the end of December 2030
1.19PM -
The profits arising from homes that fall under Cost Rental Schemes are to be exempted from corporation tax for developments on or after the 8th of October
A new derelict property tax will be created to replace the derelict sites levy - it will be charged at a rate of no less than 7%.
The Living City initiative is being extended until 2030 and the scope increased to those built before 1915 and before 1975 and giving relief to support the use of over the shop spaces for residential department.
Athlone, Drogheda, Dundalk, Letterkenny and Sligo are being added to the scheme, which already includes Galway.
A new derelict property tax will be created to replace the derelict sites levy - it will be charged at a rate of no less than 7%
Both Ministers have arrived at Government buildings for photos ahead of their Budget 2026 speeches #Budget2026
— Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) October 7, 2025
1.17PM - officially announced: VAT rate on the sale of completed apartments will drop to 9% until end of 2030.
1.05pm - Minister Donohue speaks about widespread tariffs and the challenges in the global economic sphere.
1.03pm - Ministers now in the Dáil Chamber, and Minister Donohue is now beginning his statement.
Both Ministers have arrived at Government buildings for photos ahead of their Budget 2026 speeches #Budget2026
— Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) October 7, 2025
1PM - Paschal Donohoe will take to his feet shortly to give the full detail - with Jack Chambers set to follow around 1.45.
12:50pm MINISTERS ARRIVE
Minister Paschal Donohue and Jack Chambers have arrived ahead of the unveiling of Budget 2026.
Both Ministers have arrived at Government buildings for photos ahead of their Budget 2026 speeches #Budget2026
— Galway Bay fm News (@Galwaybayfmnews) October 7, 2025
Review:
Today is Budget Day, with details of what'll be included in Budget 2026 already widely circulating.
Galway Bay FM will be providing coverage throughout the day.
That'll include pre-analysis on Galway Talks, live updates on our news bulletins and full post-announcement analysis on FYI Galway from 5PM.
Speeches from the Minister for Finance and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform are expected around lunchtime, and we'll keep you updated right here and on FM.
The Finance Minister says Budget 2026 is about 'investment' and balance.
Speaking this morning, Paschal Donohoe says the Budget is about investing in the country's future:
Tanaiste Simon Harris is ruling out changes to income tax:
Junior Minister and Galway TD Noel Grealish has confirmed there will be changes to the carer's allowance and to the State pension:
Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers, says there will be a significant focus on housing in this Budget:
Junior Minister and Galway TD Sean Canney says the VAT rate cut will save many small family businesses:
Here's some of what we know so far..
The tax package will see a VAT rate cut for the hospitality sector from July 1st.
VAT cuts for new build apartments and the retention of the reduced VAT for energy and the renters tax credit at its current rate are also expected.
Money will be set aside for hiring up to 1,000 new gardai, 860 special education teachers and the deployment of 1,700 SNAs.
The income disregard for the carers allowance will be raised to €1,000 per person per week
It's also expected there will be a permanent cut to student fees of €500 euro.
A double Christmas bonus is expected on social welfare while core rates will increase by 10 euro.
