Wicklow TD Calls For Ordinary People To Be Given A Break In The Budget

John Brady sets out budget message and calls for fairness for hard pressed workers

Budget 2026 is about 'investment' and balance according to Minister Pascal Donohoe. 

It's expected a VAT rate cut for the hospitality sector, due to take effect in July, will be unveiled this afternoon.

A ten euro rise in social welfare rates is also among the measures due to be announced.

A Wicklow TD has called for fairness for ordinary workers and taxpayers across the country in a variety of everyday areas calling for some relief amid the ongoing cost of living crisis in Ireland.

Sinn Féin's John Brady has underlined his party's alternative budget assessment made last week in some of the measures that he has called for in today's budget announcement.

He said: ''Budget 2026 must be about giving working people a break.''

The area of housing, accommodation, homelessness and rents all fall in line with problems in modern Ireland he suggest.

''It needs to deal with the housing crisis, we need to see the delivery of affordable homes, a rent freeze and help for first-time buyers, ending homelessness and the housing crisis that's impacting on so many families right across the state.''

The state of the country's healthcare and system is some thing that he says needs greater financial investment and intervention.

''We also need to see a huge investment in healthcare, cutting waiting lists, opening hospital beds, expanding community and mental health services and making healthcare affordable and accessible to all.''

He also underlined the need for a more measured and fair balance in helping householders against some of the taxes implemented in years gone by:

''Workers and families need to see fairness in Budget 2026, a cut to the universal social charge for low and middle income earners, raising the minimum wage, ensuring families keep more of what they earn and the beginning of a process to abolish the unfair property tax.''

Budget 2026 is expected to contain an overall package of €9.4 billion. A reduced 9 per cent VAT rate for restaurants is planned. VAT measures include a reduced 9 per cent rate for new apartments

Core weekly welfare payments will rise by €10. Child support payments will increase by €8 for children under 12 and €16 for those 12 and over.

Disability: There is expected to be up to €500 million for the disability budget. Third-level charges: A €500 permanent reduction in the €3,000 student fee is expected.