Deputy Maxwell on Budget 2027

Around the Houses

“Last year’s budget, with its business and job focus, was needed. What we have heard since, however, is that it does relatively little for low-income earners and other workers,” Deputy David Maxwell (FG) stated. He said some “earn too much” to qualify for welfare payments “but too little” to significantly benefit from the higher 40% tax bracket.

“These workers feel that these adjustments fail to help with their housing and living costs.

Can we argue for wider tax credits and perhaps the creation of a middle tax band, rather than just pushing up the 40% entry point, year on year?” he suggested.

“These people who get up every day to go out and better their lives and those of their families need to feel they are getting reward for their work and not feel that staying at home and claiming benefits is worth more. Can we work over the summer months to bring forward a progressive budget for workers in 2027?”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin:

“We will be examining the full range of supports we can give to families in what is a very pressurised environment in terms of the cost-of-living pressures.”

He said part of that is the tax framework and said he has “no doubt” deputies will bring forward proposals to consider “the most effective way of giving workers a break.”