There will be no “universal” cost-of-living packages included in Budget 2026, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Around 57% of people have said that energy credits and extending VAT reductions are their top priority for the upcoming budget, according to polling data from Amárach Research.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged that “cost-of-living is a huge issue” but said that the Government has “already taken measures in terms of that” in Budget 2026.
“We’ve got to try and get public finances within some reasonable sustainable framework,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.
“We’re going to do measures within the main budget to help people, particularly people on low incomes and people who will be impacted more.
“It will be targeted measures, but not universal – and also, we’re investing in the future.
“We are putting a lot more money into the capital side of the budget in terms of housing, but also in terms of roads and public transport.”
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Mr Martin said the Government is becoming “increasingly concerned” about infrastructure schemes such as the Dublin Drainage Scheme.
“People need water, and to build houses we need water supply and water connection,” he said.
“So, we might have to look at bespoke legislation now to drive that through.”
According to Mr Martin, it is “vital” that local Councils make an effort to contribute to housing delivery by rezoning lands for development.
“The population growth has been fairly significant and that’s an issue in itself in terms of trying to meet that population growth with services in health and education,” he said.
“Infrastructure needs to catch up for that population and above all, housing needs to catch up.
“I think the mindset has to change in County Councils and City Councils; we are in a new era.
“We’re not fighting the last war, we’re not fighting the last crash, we’re in a new era now.”
Stock photo of house building, © PA Archive/PA ImagesResponding to Antoinette Burke, who confronted Mr Martin yesterday on her daughter’s nearly 15 year-long wait on hip surgery, he said that the issue in this case was “the consultants have a different perspective on it than Antoinette”.
“This case is a bit more complex, and I met with Antoinette yesterday and I asked Bernard Gloster to reach out and engage with Antoinette as well,” he said.
“Bernard Gloster being the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Service Executive.
“It’s not a case that there’s an absence of access, this case is an absence of a clinical decision to go ahead with surgery.
“Which is a different thing.”
In regard to scoliosis operations, Mr Martin said "there's still too many children waiting too long for surgery”.
Main image: Micheál Martin.
