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Minister Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe with Budget 2026 documents outside Government Buildings

Govt increases spending and reduces planned tax measures

The Irish Government has pledged to "secure jobs and stability at a time of global challenge" as part of its annual Budget announcement.

Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe holding folders with Budget 2026

Live Govt spending to rise almost 12%, warns fiscal watchdog

Minister for Finance Pachal Donohoe said the VAT cut will support more than 150,000 jobs across the country

VAT for catering, hairdressing to be cut from 13.5% to 9%

Brick houses in housing development

Govt commits over €5bn investment for housing delivery

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Carbon tax to be increased to €71 per tonne of CO2

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Govt to cut VAT rate on apartment sales from 13.5% to 9%

Increases in carbon tax will add around 2.5c to the cost of a litre of motor fuels from tomorrow

Petrol and diesel up 2.5c, no electricity credits in 2026

Economy predicted to grow by 3.3% this year, 2.3% in 2026

Economy predicted to grow by 3.3% this year, 2.3% in 2026

Markets More

Budget 2026

Photo shows Karen Clarke who is a Tax Partner with Deloitte

Watch: Budget 2026 - your questions answered

Image shows three UCD students

Watch: Students react to third-level fee decrease

Budget a setback for disabled people, says Federation

Podcast: What's in Budget 2026 for you?

Behind the Story

Economy predicted to grow by 3.3% this year, 2.3% in 2026

Economy predicted to grow by 3.3% this year, 2.3% in 2026

Ministers Chambers and Donohoe wave to media ahead of budget speeches

Govt priorities underlined in money ministers' Budget

Analysis and Comment

Increases in carbon tax will add around 2.5c to the cost of a litre of motor fuels from tomorrow

Petrol and diesel up 2.5c, no electricity credits in 2026

Funding for TB eradication programme doubled in Budget

An empty hospital bed

Dept of Health budget to provide for 3,300 extra staff

Budget 2026 at a glance

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

Budget 2026 Your Questions answered

As it happened: Budget 2026 - Your questions answered

Pearse Doherty addresses the Dáil chamber

Opposition says Budget ignores society's biggest crises

Technology & Innovation

More Technology & Innovation

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AMD signs AI chip-supply deal with OpenAI

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What does the tech sector want from Budget 2026?

PPARS

P-PARS Computer System

Photo of Tánaiste Simon Harris opening Enovus Labs’ new R&D lab at TU Dublin

Dublin space tech company opens new lab

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Data centres in space? Jeff Bezos thinks it's possible

Four people with microphones on stage in front of an audience

Future of gaming focus of annual conference in Dublin

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Yahoo nears deal to sell AOL to Italy's Bending Spoons

More Technology & Innovation

US Tariffs

More US Tariffs

Trump imposing new 25% large truck tariff from November 1

Aston Martin forecasts bigger loss for fiscal 2025

Stellantis plans $10 billion in US investments - report

Stellantis, Volvo shares up as US sales defy tariff fears

Steel jumped into the spotlight early this year after US President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on foreign steel and aluminium imports to 50%

EU plans to cut steel import quotas, hike tariffs to 50%

Pfizer does deal with Trump on prescription drug prices

Nike CEO warns of more work ahead as China lags

The new survey reveals that the euro zone remains the top target region for Enterprise Ireland companies, followed by the UK and the US

97% of exporters expect to expand into new markets - EI

US President Donald Trump address at Pentagon

US to impose 100% tariff on movies made outside the US

Spirits exports up in 2024 but tariffs loom for producers

AstraZeneca moves to direct US listing, keeps UK listing

The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union's survey showed 46% of respondents expected worsening EU-US trade and investment ties, compared with 89% in a similar survey in January

Nearly half of US firms in Europe expect declining ties

Work

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Brendan Ogle loses discrimination appeal

A complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 has been rejected at the Workplace Relations Commission (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Care service manager loses mocking hands claim at WRC

The C&AG examination was undertaken to review the compliance with the funding framework in place for the delivery and operation of remote working hubs

'Minimal evidence of checks' of remote working hubs

Corporate image of hands typing on a laptop keyboard in an outdoor environment, perhaps a balcony, a garden or a rooftop terrace.

Increase in number of workers changing jobs - survey

Woman in her 40s woman uses digital tablet to pay and tip the barista in Santa Monica, California. Smart phone tech and contactless payment concepts.

Beautician denied thousands of euro worth of card tips

Picture of a man in a suit holding an award

8 new businesses awarded Best Managed Companies accolade

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Family responsibilities a barrier to women in business

More Work

Analysis & Comment

More Analysis & Comment

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What does the tech sector want from Budget 2026?

Fiat is the cornerstone of the Agnelli empire - but it's no longer its most valuable asset

Fiat Feud: The succession row within 'Italy's Kennedys'

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No one-off measures expected as cost of living looms

Picture of Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe as they present budget 2025 at Government Buildings

10 things to watch out for in Budget 2026

A flag flies outside the US Capitol

The US budget row that's not about the budget

Analysis and Comment

More Analysis & Comment

The Business of Climate

More The Business of Climate

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IEA trims renewables outlook as US policy shifts

Denmark's Orsted raises $9.35 billion in share issue

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Tesla beats delivery estimates on sales boost

Cavan's Galetech Group to create 65 jobs

Two men dressed in suits cut the ribbon of a new industrial facility

Ecocem opens new research and innovation lab in France

Gas Networks Ireland said the increase in demand for gas in August was partly driven by increased use in electricity generation

Gas demand up 9% year-on-year in August

A woman and three men stand beside two cars and an electric vehicle charger

ePower raises €30m in biggest ever funding round

More The Business of Climate

Your money

More Your money

Yuno Energy announces price freeze for customers

Online payment concept. Over shoulder view of a woman accessing a mobile banking app on her smartphone, highlighting the ease of digital finance management. Internet bank, money transaction, fintech,

Irish banks to launch instant payments across euro zone

Paschal Donohoe

No increase in tax bands in Budget 2026 - Donohoe

Picture of a business woman in an office with desks, computers and workers behind her

AIB urges vigilance amid new investment scams

PrepayPower to freeze electricity & gas prices for winter

a woman in a supermarket with a shopping trolley using her phone

Will Budget 2026 do anything about prices you pay for groceries?

Health insurance policy brochure with paperwork. There is also a stethoscope, mobile phone and digital tablet in the image.

46% of Irish population now have health insurance - HIA

Low earners can spend up to 33% of income on healthy food

The new BPFI report shows 4,536 mortgages were approved in August

17% reduction in mortgages approved last month - report

Mortgage arrears at lowest level since 2009: Central Bank

PTSB has announced deposit rate increases of up to 0.5% but decreases of 0.25% on other certain products

PTSB cuts mortgage rates, makes changes to deposit rates

Haven cuts its Green 4 year fixed mortgage rate

Business Brainstorm

More Business Brainstorm

A group of tourists outside Wynns Hotel in Abbey Street in Dublin as the Luas tram passes by

What tax, which could bring in €213m, won't be in Budget 2026?

Why Metrolink is a much needed connection for north Co Dublin

Why so many companies are investing in weather forecasting

a woman in a supermarket with a shopping trolley using her phone

Will Budget 2026 do anything about prices you pay for groceries?

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JULY 7: President of the Eurogroup Paschal Donohoe attends the Eurozone Economy and Finance Ministers meeting in Brussels, Belgium on July 7, 2025. (Photo by Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images)

A history of Irish budgets

Adult woman signing contract during interview with lawyer

The curse of legalese: why don't solicitors use plain English?

'The more we earn, the less likely we are to take time off - and the reward for work turns out to be more work'

Why do we work?

Work and careers

Women working from stalls on the west side of George's Street at Stephen Street, Dublin 1927.

Why did Dublin authorities try to ban street trading in 1920s?

IVEAGH TRUST FLATS_PATRICK ST DUBLIN

Houses of Guinness: how Edward Guinness changed housing in Dublin

The end-users of banking apps, hospital portals, online shopping platforms and delivery systems rely on Indian software providers far more than they may realise. Photo: Getty Images

Why Trump's tariffs could make the apps on your phone worse

Science and Technology

How employee ownership trusts allow workers to own their business

Research found that shoppers' brains may interpret empty space as a warning sign. Photo: RTÉ

Why empty supermarket shelves make you uneasy

Business Watch and Listen

PwC's Head of Tax Paraic Burke described the Government's Action Plan on Competitiveness as being very light on real actions that could be taken

Calls to increase the R&D tax credit for businesses

The Tucson pump subject the safety alert

Electrocution risk from 114,000 circulating pumps - CCPC

Online payment concept. Over shoulder view of a woman accessing a mobile banking app on her smartphone, highlighting the ease of digital finance management. Internet bank, money transaction, fintech,

Irish banks to launch instant payments across euro zone

IMI CEO Shane O'Sullivan sitting at a desk with a cup in front of him

Strategic leadership gaps threaten Irish competitiveness

Fanad Lighthouse pictured from the coastline

Lighthouse tourism worth €33m annually, new report states

The Appeals Centre currently covers Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Threads and Pinterest

Nudity, bullying and hate speech among appeals complaints

A viewpoint over O Connell Bridge and Dublin City

GDP in Ireland to rise by 9% due to strong exports

High profile cyber attacks often down to basic errors

Spirits exports up in 2024 but tariffs loom for producers

Directors cited increased regulation and rising costs as a key concern - but most wanted the Budget to focus on tackling infrastructure bottlenecks

Prioritise infrastructure in Budget 2026 - IoD poll

Photo of front enterance of Atlantic Technological University (ATU)

'Ludicrous' that professors can't be appointed at ATU

Ireland's place as a bridge between the US and EU could make it hugely influencial in the development of safe and ethical AI, the forum heard

Forum aims to make Ireland a global leader in AI

Agribusiness

More Agribusiness

Fishing boats in Killybegs Co Donegal

Fishing industry facing 'economic Armageddon'

Big rise in farming entrepreneurial income in Midlands

Three black and white cows stand in a field

Bovine TB budget exceeded each year since 2020 - C&AG

Group of people about the cut the ribbon on a new manufacturing facility

Kerry sets up new Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig

Man in a suit posing beside a fountain

Origin Enterprises' annual profits and revenues rise

Crowds attending day one of the National Ploughing Championships at Tullamore, Co Offaly

5 takeaways from the National Ploughing Championships

Analysis and Comment

Man in a suit posing for a photo in a suit

Tirlán announces retirement of Frank Tobin

Tractor ploughing at national championships

Retaining nitrates derogation for farmers 'a priority'

Three men holding Irish Country Meats holding a box and lamb products

Irish Country Meat secures lamb deal for US markets

The Herdwatch team with their award for Innovation Champion

AI farm management tool wins Innovation Award

Trapped on the farm: how pension gap keeps older farmers at work

Anna Marie McHugh of the ploughing championships and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon walk two cows on a lease.

Long list of issues for farmers in spotlight

Analysis and Comment

C&AG Report 2024

Just €3.9m of €190m energy support fund paid out - C&AG

Criminal Justice Operational Hub spend below budget

About €5.5 billion has been paid by the Department of Education to schools between 2015 and 2024

Full listing of school grant schemes 'not maintained'

State overpaid millions to IPAS providers - report

'Misunderstanding' behind ministerial pension errors

OPW paid €20m to lease 2 buildings that stayed unoccupied

science children (Getty)

Children's science museum promise posed unnecessary risk

The delivery of social and affordable housing, along with other housing supports were the main reasons for which funding was provided in 2024.

Govt funding to local authorities up 28% to €8.6 billion.

Over 20% of jobseekers' allowance claimants overpaid

€1.9 billion collected from VRT & motor tax in 2024

Dept's housing spending doubles from '21 to '24 - report

The C&AG examination was undertaken to review the compliance with the funding framework in place for the delivery and operation of remote working hubs

'Minimal evidence of checks' of remote working hubs

Startup Nation

Group of people holding award certificates

Start-Ups success on South Dublin New Frontiers Programme

Two women and a man stand in a field posing with a scientific instrument

Three Start-ups Join ESA BIC Ireland at NovaUCD

Picture of Dermot Casey, CEO of the Industry Research and Development Group

IRDG launches leadership programme for SMEs

A woman and a man pose for a photo at the window of a high rise office

1,500th resident start-up for Guinness Enterprise Centre

Two women and three men pose for a photo to mark a year of the National Enterprise Hub

6,500 Irish SMEs helped by National Enterprise Hub so far