Budget Ireland 2026 – Watch Live

Live Budget speeches broadcast on Oireachtas TV & Dáil Éireann channel from 1:00 PM. Other chambers may feature post-Budget analysis and reactions from approximately 3:30 PM onwards.

Oireachtas TV:

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Live Dept. of Finance Feed

Budget 2026 Live Stream Schedule – Tuesday, October 7, 2025

 

Dáil Éireann:

Time Event
1:00 PM Dáil Resumes – Budget 2026 Proceedings Begin
1:05 PM Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD – Budget Speech
~1:45 PM Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers TD – Budget Speech
~2:30 PM Budget Statements & Initial Reactions
~3:30 PM Continued Dáil Debate & Opposition Responses
4:00 PM+ Extended Debate / Replay Coverage

Seanad Éireann:

Time Event
2:30 PM Seanad Resumes – Commencement Matters
3:30 PM Order of Business
4:15 PM Statements on Statutory Instruments (SOS)
5:30 PM Government Business: Statements on Budget 2026 (Department of Finance)
7:30 PM Seanad Adjourns

 

Additional chambers available for post-Budget reactions and committee sessions

 Committee Room 1:

 Committee Room 2:

 Committee Room 3:

 Committee Room 4:

Live streaming is provided by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service. ©Houses of the Oireachtas

 

Budget 2026 Delivered: Key Confirmed Changes Affecting Your Tax Refunds

Budget 2026 has been delivered! Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers have announced Ireland’s €9.4 billion Budget package for 2026. Here’s exactly what was confirmed and how it affects your tax refund opportunities:


✅ Confirmed Tax Changes That Boost Your Refunds

Excellent News for Renters

  • Rent Tax Credit extended through December 2028 – €1,000 for singles, €2,000 for couples

  • Guaranteed €3,000-€6,000 relief over the next three years

  • No coverage gap – seamless continuation from 2025

Great News for Businesses

  • R&D Tax Credit rate increased from 30% to 35% – substantial enhancement for innovative companies

  • Enhanced entrepreneur relief: Lifetime limit increased from €1 million to €1.5 million

Positive Changes for Workers

  • USC threshold increased by €1,318 to €28,700 – modest but welcome adjustment

  • Income tax bands unchanged (as predicted) – provides stability but workers getting pay rises will pay more tax

  • Medical card USC relief extended through 2027 for those earning under €60,000

Significant VAT Reductions

  • Energy VAT extended at 9% through 2030 – long-term household savings confirmed

  • Hospitality VAT reduced from 13.5% to 9% starting July 2026

  • Apartment VAT reduced to 9% until 2030 – €18,000 saving on €400,000 apartment

Major Housing Support Enhancements

  • Living City Initiative expanded: Pre-1975 properties now qualify, relief cap increased to €300,000

  • Residential development supports extended through 2030

  • New Derelict Property Tax to encourage property activation


🎯 What This Means for Your Refunds

Immediate Opportunities:

  • Enhanced emergency tax refunds from improved USC calculations

  • Continued rent relief claiming for eligible tenants

  • Mortgage interest relief extended for two more years

  • Multiple housing reliefs for property improvement projects

Strategic Planning Benefits:

  • Multi-year certainty enables long-term tax planning

  • Enhanced rates provide better returns on qualifying activities

  • Coordinated relief claiming creates substantial cumulative benefits


📅 When Changes Take Effect

Date What Changes
October 8, 2025 Apartment VAT reduction, housing reliefs effective immediately
January 1, 2026 USC changes, R&D credit enhancement, most tax changes
July 1, 2026 Hospitality VAT reduction begins
Throughout 2026 Enhanced refund claiming opportunities available

💡 MyTaxRebate.ie’s Post-Budget Analysis

Our tax experts have completed comprehensive analysis of all Budget 2026 measures. Here’s how we’re helping clients maximize these confirmed opportunities:

✓ Immediate Assessment Available

Expert analysis of exactly how confirmed Budget changes affect your individual tax situation

✓ Enhanced Claiming Strategies

Professional coordination of multiple relief categories most people miss when claiming individually

✓ Proven Results

Our clients currently average €1,080 in refunds, with Budget 2026’s changes creating additional opportunities for many situations

✓ Fast Processing

Priority analysis within 24-48 hours showing your specific enhanced refund opportunities


🚀 Ready to Maximize Your Budget 2026 Benefits?

Don’t navigate these changes alone. Budget 2026’s confirmed measures create genuine opportunities, but the complexity of coordinating multiple reliefs and understanding new procedures requires professional expertise.

Professional advantages confirmed by today’s announcements:

  • Multi-relief coordination across rent credits, USC improvements, housing reliefs, and business enhancements

  • Strategic timing ensuring you claim at optimal moments throughout 2026

  • Revenue expertise navigating enhanced procedures and documentation requirements

  • Ongoing monitoring as implementation details emerge over coming months

Free Assessment – No Obligation

Complete the form above to receive expert analysis of your specific Budget 2026 opportunities:

✅ Same-day assessment of how confirmed changes benefit your situation
✅ Strategic coordination of all applicable reliefs for maximum total benefit
✅ Implementation guidance ensuring optimal claiming as changes take effect
✅ Priority processing for applications submitted during Budget announcement period


📊 Budget 2026 Success Stories Already Emerging

Example Confirmed Benefits:

Dublin Professional Couple (Renters):

  • Rent Tax Credit: €6,000 guaranteed over next 3 years

  • Energy VAT savings: ~€400 annually through 2030

  • USC improvement: ~€100 annually

  • Total confirmed benefit: €6,500+ through professional coordination

Cork Technology Company:

  • R&D Credit enhancement: €10,000+ additional annual benefit on €200,000 expenditure

  • Key Employee Programme extension: Continued talent attraction benefits

  • Substantial business tax improvements confirmed

Galway Property Developer:

  • Living City Initiative: €100,000 additional relief capacity per project

  • Residential development supports: Extended certainty through 2030

  • Major development incentive enhancements confirmed


⚡ Act Now – Budget Implementation Begins Immediately

Some Budget 2026 measures are effective immediately, while others begin January 2026. Professional guidance ensures you benefit from the right changes at the right time.

Why professional services matter more after Budget announcement:

  • ✅ Complex interactions between multiple enhanced reliefs require expert coordination

  • ✅ Implementation timing varies across different relief categories

  • ✅ Revenue procedures will be updated throughout 2026 requiring ongoing expertise

  • ✅ Strategic planning optimizes multi-year benefits from confirmed extensions

Limited Time: Priority Budget Analysis

Applications submitted in the next 48 hours receive priority analysis showing your specific Budget 2026 refund opportunities before general awareness peaks.

Complete Your Tax Refund Application Form


🏆 Why Choose MyTaxRebate.ie for Budget 2026 Benefits?

✓ Immediate Budget Expertise

Our team analyzed every Budget measure within hours of announcement to identify client opportunities

✓ Proven Track Record

100% success rate for qualifying refund claims with average €1,080 recovery

✓ Comprehensive Coordination

Unlike individual claiming, we coordinate all applicable reliefs for maximum total benefit

✓ Fast Results

Typically 2-4 weeks processing versus months for individual Revenue applications

✓ No Risk Approach

No fee if we don’t recover refunds – you only pay when we deliver results


Budget 2026 has delivered confirmed opportunities. Let Ireland’s tax refund experts ensure you benefit from every applicable change.

Apply Now for Your Tax Refund Analysis


Content updated based on confirmed Budget 2026 announcements from the Department of Finance, October 7, 2025. Individual circumstances vary – professional assessment recommended for optimal outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Budget 2026

What time does Budget 2026 start?

Budget 2026 proceedings begin at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Dáil Éireann. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe will deliver the first Budget speech around 1:05 PM, followed by Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers around 1:45 PM. The main Budget announcements typically conclude by 3:30 PM, though Dáil debate continues for several hours afterwards.

Who delivers the Budget and what do they announce?

Ireland has a two-minister Budget system. The Minister for Finance (Paschal Donohoe) announces taxation measures including income tax changes, USC rates, tax credits, and revenue-raising measures. The Minister for Public Expenditure (Jack Chambers) announces spending measures including welfare increases, public service funding, capital projects, and departmental allocations. Together, Budget 2026 represents a €9.4 billion package (€7.9 billion spending, €1.5 billion tax measures).

When do Budget 2026 changes actually take effect?

Most tax changes take effect from January 1, 2026, when employers update payroll systems with new rates, thresholds, and credits. However, some measures have different timelines. For example, the hospitality VAT reduction from 13.5% to 9% is expected to take effect from July 2026. Welfare increases typically begin in early 2026. The energy VAT extension continues from October 2025. Tax refund claiming procedures for enhanced reliefs become available from March 2026 onwards, with the annual filing deadline remaining October 31, 2026.

What's the difference between the Dáil Budget speeches and the Seanad statements?

The Dáil speeches (1:00 PM – 3:30 PM) contain all official Budget 2026 announcements and are where new measures are formally introduced. This is where you’ll hear what’s actually in the Budget. The Seanad statements (5:30 PM – 7:30 PM) provide debate and discussion of the measures already announced. Senators analyse, critique, and discuss the Budget’s impacts but don’t introduce new measures. If you want to know what’s in the Budget, watch the Dáil. If you want analysis and diverse perspectives, watch the Seanad.

Why has the Government confirmed income tax bands won't increase this year?

Minister Donohoe confirmed last week that income tax bands will NOT be increased in Budget 2026, breaking from recent years’ pattern. With wages rising by an average of 5%, this means workers receiving pay rises will pay more tax as they’re pushed into the 40% tax bracket sooner. The Minister stated that indexing tax bands would cost €1.3 billion of the €1.5 billion tax package, leaving insufficient room for other targeted measures like rent tax credits, hospitality VAT cuts, and housing supports. This decision prioritizes sector-specific relief over universal income tax cuts.

How does the €9.4 billion Budget package break down?

Budget 2026’s €9.4 billion total comprises €7.9 billion in spending increases (funding public services, welfare, infrastructure, and departmental budgets) and €1.5 billion in tax measures (tax cuts, new credits, and revenue foregone through VAT reductions). The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council has warned this package is too large for Ireland’s current strong economic position, suggesting the Government should exercise more restraint. This represents one of Ireland’s largest Budget packages in recent years despite these warnings.

What are "commencement matters" and "order of business"?

These are standard parliamentary procedures that happen before substantive debate. Commencement Matters (Seanad 2:30 PM) allow Senators to raise urgent issues requiring ministerial response, though these aren’t related to Budget 2026. Order of Business (Seanad 3:30 PM) is when the Cathaoirleach (chairperson) outlines the day’s parliamentary schedule and handles procedural matters. Neither contains Budget information—they’re routine parliamentary business that precedes the actual Budget statements at 5:30 PM.

Can Budget measures be changed after today's announcement?

Yes. Today’s Budget announcement is the Government’s proposal, but it must pass through parliamentary approval via the Finance Bill and related legislation over coming weeks. Opposition TDs and Senators can propose amendments during committee stages, though Government majorities typically ensure Budget measures pass as announced. Significant changes are rare but possible. Technical corrections and clarifications often occur during implementation. The final Budget framework becomes law through the Finance Act, usually enacted by year-end.

How quickly will I see Budget 2026 changes in my paycheck?

For most PAYE workers, changes appear in January 2026 paychecks when employers implement updated tax rates, thresholds, and credits through their payroll systems. However, if you’re entitled to enhanced refunds (emergency tax recovery, rent tax credits, working from home relief), you may need to actively claim these through Revenue or professional services like MyTaxRebate.ie. Employers don’t automatically apply all reliefs—many require individual claiming. Professional services ensure you receive maximum refunds within weeks rather than waiting months for Revenue processing.

What should I specifically watch for during the Budget speeches?

Pay close attention to these key areas affecting your finances: Income tax thresholds (confirmed no increase despite wage growth), rent tax credit amounts (potential €500 increase per person widely predicted), USC rates (possible reductions in middle bands), working from home relief (potential daily allowance increases), childcare supports (fee cap reductions anticipated), energy credits (VAT extension confirmed), and hospitality VAT (reduction from 13.5% to 9% expected). Take notes on measures affecting your specific situation, or better yet, complete the application form above and let MyTaxRebate.ie’s experts analyse everything for you.

Why should I use MyTaxRebate.ie instead of claiming refunds myself?

Budget 2026 introduces complex changes across multiple relief categories that interact in ways most individuals miss. Professional services identify enhanced refund opportunities immediately upon Budget confirmation, coordinate claiming across all available reliefs, navigate new Revenue procedures efficiently, and typically recover 2-4 times the service fee through expert optimization. Our clients average €1,080 in refunds currently, with Budget 2026’s enhancements expected to increase recovery substantially. Complete the form above for free assessment—no obligation, and you’ll receive personalized analysis of your specific opportunities within 24 hours of Budget confirmation.