David Hearne has been at the forefront of Forsa’s campaign for pay and pensions parity with other school staff.

Renter Chris Bond welcomes Budget 2026’s measures tackling the housing crisis but says they will be judged on how they affect housing supply.

The reduction from 13.5% to 9% will kick in from July next year.

Tuesday’s budget announcement included a €10 per week increase in pension payments, lower than last year’s €12 per week.

“They need to treat the special education crisis like it’s a house on fire,” Adrienne Doyle Whelan said.

VFI said that while the decision to cut VAT on food services is welcome, "delaying the change until mid-2026 is unacceptable"

The commencement of a new ‘Dublin-Derry airlink’ in 2026 was among the budgetary measures announced by the Government on Tuesday.

The Government will outline its annual Budget on Tuesday, amid scrutiny of its tax and expenditure priorities.

There was a backlash from parents and students when Minister for Higher Education James Lawless indicated in June that the temporary fee reduction would not be repeated this year.

Paschal Donohoe said the Government’s tax package was focused on ‘jobs and investment’.

The Labour Party outlined its alternative budget and called on the Government to end child poverty.

Party leader Holly Cairns took aim at the last coalition’s budgetary approach.

The Finance Minister has emphasised the ‘importance’ of the renters’ tax credit as he works on finalising the Budget.

The Minister of Finance, has said nobody is more aware than himself of the dangers of repeating the mistakes of the financial crash.

A ‘tighter’ fiscal stance in next month’s Budget is needed, according to an economic think tank.

The Tánaiste has denied there are tensions in Government over budget welfare increases

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald had accused the Government of withdrawing bill relief for consumers as four energy companies prepare price hikes.

The Government is being told its spending plans for Budget 2026 are not necessary

The Taoiseach has signalled there will be ‘something’ similar to a second tier of child benefit in the Budget.

The Government announced 85 measures to improve Ireland’s competitiveness and productivity on Wednesday.

There must be immediate, comprehensive funding for the Dublin City Taskforce findings, according to a pre-Budget submission.

The State’s economic watchdog recommended a reduction in the planned package amid ‘high uncertainty’.

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is ‘not convinced’ the size of the Budget package needs to be changed.

The Budget Day package will be worth €9.4 billion and will not be accompanied by a cost of living package of measures.

The Irish hospitality industry has long called for its VAT rate to be slashed from 13.5 per cent to 9 per cent.

Tusla said its expected overspend for 2025 was €67.8 million, which included €7.6 million for kids in the international protection process and refugees from Ukraine.

Peter Burke said ‘the devil is in the detail’ of the trade agreement finalised on Sunday.

The Budget Day package, set to be announced on October 7th, will be €9.4 billion.

Overall spending across current capital will increase by 7.3 per cent for next year.

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore accused the Government of ‘throwing public money around like snuff at a wake’.

Uncertainty around tariffs is “problematic” for Budget preparations and medium-term fiscal planning, the Taoiseach has said.

The Sinn Féin leader said the Government will be throwing struggling families ‘under the bus’ in October’s budget.

The Dáil will rise ahead of the summer recess on Thursday and will not be due to return until September 17th.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that he was not convinced there was a need for a ‘significant rise in the dole’.

The student contribution fee has been temporarily reduced for the past three years as part of cost-of-living packages accompanying the budget.

There are ‘dark clouds on the horizon’, the Tanaiste warned, as looming US tariffs influenced discussions at the National Economic Dialogue.

Deputy John Clendennen was speaking after Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the nine per cent rate will be announced at the next Budget.

Micheál Martin ruled out continuing cost-of-living support payments.

The prospect of the Treasury withdrawing an offer to write off a £559 million debt appears to have receded.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said a planned rise in air passenger duty would make air travel ‘much more expensive’.

Stormont finance minister Caoimhe Archibald said while the settlement was encouraging, it was not enough to plug a projected funding gap.

It came as C and C Group revealed lower sales for the past half-year as poor summer weather hit demand for cider.

The Commons heard NHS waiting times in Northern Ireland are the longest in the UK and public services are ‘in crisis’ because of a lack of funding.