TheJournal.ie calls Ireland's carbon tax change a 'U-turn'; RTÉ calls it a 'pause' with two rises next year

Ireland's €8.65bn Budget 2027 cuts the carbon tax on home heating and holds back this month's rise on petrol and diesel. Two outlets put different words on the same decision. They also give different figures for the income tax package and the renters' credit, and the gains for workers depend on which salary you pick.

At a glance: Key takeaways from Budget 2027 as published by RTÉ News · seen at RTÉ News

Anglosphere Published 6 Oct 2026, 17:36 UTC Ireland

The carbon tax. TheJournal.ie's headline says the Government 'slashes' the tax on home heating and 'freezes increases'. RTÉ says the rise on petrol and diesel due this month is 'paused', and that 'there will be two rises next year', in May and October. Both are true of different fuels. 'Freezes' is not true of road fuel.

Measure	TheJournal.ie	RTÉ
Carbon tax	'U-turn', 'slashes', 'freezes'	'paused', two rises in 2027
Heating fuel rate	€63.50 → €48.50 a tonne	€48.50 a tonne
Cigarettes	'€20 a box for the first time'	'up by €1'
Rent tax credit, single	€1,150	€1,159
Income tax package	—	€1.65bn and €1.3bn, in two reports

Who gains. The Government calls the budget 'fair to working people', RTÉ reports. Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty told the Dáil that over 1.5 million workers 'will get less than €250'. TheJournal.ie's own sums put a €30,000 earner €263 a year better off and a €60,000 earner €766 better off. It says those earning over €44,000 are winners only 'loosely'.

Disability. The new payment is €500 a year. Campaigners told RTÉ that is €9.62 a week, against the €55 they asked for.

Not settled. No report we hold checks Sinn Féin's 1.5 million figure. RTÉ prints two sizes for the tax package and does not say why they differ. Nobody explains the €9 gap on the rent credit.

What this is. Ireland's government has set out its tax and spending plans for 2027. Ireland's budget is presented to the Dáil, the lower house of parliament, every October.

How it got here. A general election in late 2024 produced a coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, supported by independent TDs. It took office in early 2025, with Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil as Taoiseach. Its Programme for Government promised to ease income tax, bring childcare toward €200 a month and bring in a permanent cost-of-disability payment. TheJournal.ie reports that last year's budget left the average household worse off, and that coalition TDs admitted it went down like a 'lead balloon'.

Ireland's carbon tax has been in place since 2010. A 2020 law set it on a path of yearly rises, with the money going partly to retrofits and fuel support. This year opposition parties say energy costs dominate. Aontú told RTÉ a 'fuel crisis' has gripped the country for six months. That pressure is behind the carbon tax changes in this budget.

The actors. Simon Harris, Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste, is now Minister for Finance. He replaced Paschal Donohoe, he told TheJournal.ie. Jack Chambers of Fianna Fáil runs public spending. Sinn Féin is the largest opposition party. Its finance spokesperson, Pearse Doherty, led the reply. The Green Party was in the last government and wrote the carbon tax path. It now says the cut leaves less money for retrofits.

What is at stake. Take-home pay, welfare rates and childcare costs for every household. There is also a climate policy that ran one way for 15 years. On heating fuel it now runs the other way. On road fuel it is delayed, not reversed.

Where it stands. These are announcements. The tax measures go into the Finance Bill in the coming weeks. Some measures start in January. The childcare cap waits until September 2027.

What is being argued about

Whether the carbon tax was cut, frozen or only paused
How big the income tax package is: €1.65bn or €1.3bn
How much a worker gains at €30,000 versus €60,000
Whether a €500 disability payment meets the extra costs disabled people face

One budget, two outlets, different words and figuresSide by side

Measure	TheJournal.ie	RTÉ	Hedged?
Carbon tax	'Climate U-turn: Government slashes carbon tax on home heating and freezes increases'	'Carbon tax rise on fuel paused but two hikes next year'	RTÉ gives both halves; TheJournal.ie's headline gives one
Heating fuel rate	Cut from €63.50 to €48.50 a tonne	€48.50 a tonne 'for lifetime of Government'	No
Cigarettes	'€20 a box for the first time'	Pack of 20 'up by €1'	No; same rise, different framing
Rent tax credit, single	€1,150	€1,159	No; €9 apart
Income tax package	Not given as a total	€1.65bn in one report, €1.3bn in another	No reason given for the gap
Who gains	Over-€44,000 earners are winners only 'loosely'	Government: 'fair to working people'; Sinn Féin: 'insult to workers'	Attributed in RTÉ; TheJournal.ie's verdict in its own voice

Both outlets are Irish. Most of the gaps are in wording. The rent credit and the size of the tax package differ in the figures themselves.

Sources T TheJournal.ie R RTÉ News R RTÉ News T TheJournal.ie R RTÉ News T TheJournal.ie R RTÉ News T TheJournal.ie

Claims and verdicts

disputed The majority of Irish workers, over a million and a half of them, will get less than €250 from the Budget's tax changes.

Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty made the claim in the Dáil, as reported by RTÉ. TheJournal.ie's worked examples put the gain at €263 a year for a €30,000 earner and about €260 for a single person on €35,000, slightly above €250, and no report we hold checks the 1.5 million figure.

Checked against 3 sources:

R RTÉ News T TheJournal.ie T TheJournal.ie

misleading The Government has frozen carbon tax increases.

TheJournal.ie's headline says the Government 'freezes increases', and RTÉ reports a cut on kerosene and natural gas for the lifetime of the Government. RTÉ also reports that the increase on petrol and diesel due this month is only paused, and that there will be two carbon tax rises next year, in May and October.

Checked against 3 sources:

T TheJournal.ie R RTÉ News R RTÉ News

true The carbon tax on home heating oil and gas is cut to €48.50 per tonne of CO2.

TheJournal.ie reports the rate falling from €63.50 to €48.50. RTÉ separately gives the same €48.50 rate for kerosene and natural gas, and no report we hold contradicts it.

Checked against 2 sources:

T TheJournal.ie R RTÉ News

Who wrote it

J Jane Moore TheJournal.ie · 2 reports on this story

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Accusation carried without a reply a charge against a named party, no answer from it in the text held×1

Children exact This report gives the exact number of children.×1

Counterweight Sets the healthy figure against children's choices×1

Dated versus vague death dated Thursday×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 misleading2 disputed6 unverified4 true

From 117 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

R Rónán Duffy TheJournal.ie · 2 reports on this story

What the bias passes found in their reporting

An absence treated as the finding what was not posted is the whole claim; no figure and no source in the line held×1

Coverage gap One report measures how little front-page space British papers gave the dispute, paper by paper.×1

Framing sets the O'Neill question up on the unionist charge that she could bring down Stormont×1

Measure chosen gain shown by income band, including a zero for the lowest band×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 misleading1 disputed3 true

From 23 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

J Jane Matthews TheJournal.ie

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Actor named names the US and Israel as having started the war that pushed up prices, and states it flat×1

Actor named names Israel as the one bombing Gaza, in a sentence reporting what she said×1

Asserted versus attributed the outlet's own verdict on who wins, stated flat×1

Asserted vs attributed Calls the settlements 'illegal' in the headline, in the report's own voice, and names the place 'Palestine'.×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 disputed6 unverified4 true

From 57 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

K Kevin O'Mahony RTÉ News

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Figure conflict Gives the new rent tax credit for a single person as €1,159×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 misleading1 true

From 1 report we hold under this byline, at RTÉ News. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

B Brian O'Donovan RTÉ News

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Cause stated flat The union's reason for the action is given in the report's own voice, without attribution.×1

Margin unstated The vote is called 'overwhelmingly' in favour, but no figure or turnout is given.×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 unverified1 true

From 87 reports we hold under this byline, at RTÉ News. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

V Valerie Flynn TheJournal.ie

No independent reading has coded a report under this byline yet. We do not infer a journalist's views from the outlet that employs them.

From 26 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

S Sophie Finn TheJournal.ie

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Actor labelling calls the accusers 'opposition parties' when the named accuser is the deputy First Minister×1

Actor mislabelled The first line calls the accusers 'opposition parties', but the accuser quoted is the DUP deputy First Minister, who sits in the same executive×1

Asserted or attributed the next step is attributed to a named police force×1

Assertion vs attribution threat to Stormont tied to the DUP's accusation×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 misleading4 disputed6 unverified8 true

From 125 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

K Kate Henshaw TheJournal.ie · 2 reports on this story

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Figure conflict Gives the same credit as €1,150. That is a €9 gap with another report on the same measure.×1

Measure chosen language test only, no financial test×1

Which requirements are listed residency and a language test, no money test×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 unverified2 true

From 53 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

E Emma Hickey TheJournal.ie · 2 reports on this story

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Actor named The government is named as the actor that accepted the recommendation. The parents are not mentioned×1

Actor named names the government as the one that chose×1

Asserted flat Calls the chair unpopular without attributing it×1

Figure attributed Gives the crowd size and attributes it to the protesting group×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 unverified4 true

From 84 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

O Ottoline Spearman TheJournal.ie

What the bias passes found in their reporting

An objection quoted word for word unionist objection given in full, in direct quotation×1

Naming the rival chief is given a product's name in place of his company's×1

Place name Names the place 'Palestine'.×1

Place naming The round-up uses 'Palestine' in its own voice×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

4 unverified4 true

From 59 reports we hold under this byline, at TheJournal.ie. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

F Fiachra Ó Cionnaith RTÉ News

What the bias passes found in their reporting

Certainty on the withdrawal stated flat, player named×1

Measure chosen annual payment converted to a weekly sum and set against campaigners' figure×1

The gap is left unexplained ban under 13, safe design 15 to 18, nothing said about 13 to 15×1

What is left out gives the ban age and the safe-design band, leaving the 13-to-15 band unmentioned×1

Claims we checked that rest on their reporting

1 misleading2 unverified3 true

From 32 reports we hold under this byline, at RTÉ News. Two independent readings, each made without the masthead, a quote attached to every tag. A record, never a rating. Their full record →

The bylines on the reports this story is built from. Hover one for what our passes have measured on their reporting. · 11 reports we hold carry no byline — we do not invent one.

Coverage, outlet by outlet

T TheJournal.ie —

Rate of deemed disposal tax on investment funds to reduce to 35% from January

Deemed disposal tax on funds falls from 38% to 35%. Harris says it is 'something that we need to move beyond'.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. THE RATE OF ‘deemed disposal’ tax on investment funds will reduce from 38% to 35% from January, finance minister Simon Harris has announced. Deemed disposal is a tax that applies every eight years to collective investments such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs), a specific type of fund which allows buyers to track the performance of a group of shares. It was introduced by the Irish government during the Celtic Tiger to avoid people keeping their money in funds for decades on end without triggering a tax. In other countries,

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/deemed-disposal-rate-tax-reduction-simon-harr…

T TheJournal.ie —

Earn €30k, €45k, €60k or €90k? Here's what the budget means for these incomes

Worked examples: €0 from the band change at €30,000, €500 at €60,000. Earners at €90,000 gain no more than at €60,000.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Specifically, Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced the following income-related measures this afternoon: The measures will affect people differently depending on their income or personal circumstances. You can find out what exactly they mean for you with The Journal’s Budget Calculator. But just to pull out a couple of examples based on differing incomes, here’s what the changes look like in practice. The change in the entry rate of the higher rate of tax makes no difference to a worker on €30,000, so their income t

Measure chosen: gain shown by income band, including a zero for the lowest band — “The change in the entry rate of the higher rate of tax makes no difference to a worker on €30,000”

Worked example: The report does its own arithmetic and finds that the band change gives nothing to a worker on €30,000. This supports the low-earner side of the dispute with numbers, not with a quote. — “The change in the entry rate of the higher rate of tax makes no difference to a worker on €30,000, so their income tax saving here is: €0 saving annually.”

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-take-home-pay-7183872-Oct2026/

T TheJournal.ie —

Last year's package 'landed like a lead balloon' - so is anyone happy with Budget 2027?

Puts a €50,000 earner about €700 better off and a €35,000 earner about €260. Calls those over €44,000 winners 'loosely'.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. It’s a budget day strategy almost as old as time, one that typically provokes stark warnings from the public spending watchdog and generally leaves voters still asking for more. Rather than any single big-bang announcement targeted at a specific cohort, Finance Minister Simon Harris and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers have opted to try and sprinkle tax cuts and spending increases across the board. It marks a stark change in approach to last year’s budget, which left the average household worse off and was acknowl

Asserted versus attributed: the outlet's own verdict on who wins, stated flat — “The big winners – if we can use that term loosely – are people who earn over €44,000”

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-2027-workers-analysis-7183726-Oct2026/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

At a glance: Key takeaways from Budget 2027

RTÉ's summary: €8.65bn total, €1.65bn of it income tax measures, heating carbon tax at €48.50 for the lifetime of the Government, and two carbon tax rises in 2027.

At a glance: Key takeaways from Budget 2027 Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 17:52 By Kevin O'Mahony The Government has described Budget 2027 as being "fair to working people" in Ireland in a time of growing volatility. Minister for Finance Simon Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers announced a raft of measures in a package totalling €8.65 billion, with €7bn committed to public spending and €1.65bn in income tax measures. Here are the key announcements from Budget 2027 and how they will affect you: Income Tax and other credits Income tax Standard Rate cut off point up by €2,50

Figure conflict: Gives the new rent tax credit for a single person as €1,159 — “Rent Tax Credit increased by €150 to €1,159 for single people and €2,300 for couples”

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/1006/1594297-at-a-glance-key-points-from-b…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Tax changes an 'insult to workers', says Sinn Féin

Six opposition parties react. Sinn Féin calls it an 'insult to workers' and puts the tax package at €1.3bn. No minister replies in the report.

Tax changes an 'insult to workers', says Sinn Féin Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 16:39 Opposition parties have reacted strongly to the measures in Budget 2027 with Sinn Féin condemning the changes to income tax as an "insult to workers". Minister for Finance Simon Harris outlined increases to tax credits as well as the standard rate cut-off point for income tax as he delivered the Budget in the Dáil today. The Budget includes a personal income tax package worth €1.3bn, with Mr Harris explaining: "I'm increasing the standard rate cut-off point by €2,500 to €46,500, with proportionate increases

Whose voice is quoted: opposition only: six parties quoted, no minister replies to the criticism — “adding that the "majority" of Irish workers "won't get a sniff at" the €750 tax break”

Opposition figure: The report quotes an opposition figure on how many workers gain little, without checking it. The Government's reply to that figure is not carried. — “The majority of Irish workers, over a million and a half of them, who you’ve left abandoned in this Budget will get less than €250 in a tax break.”

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/1006/1594285-opposition-budget/

T TheJournal.ie —

Check your wages: Use our calculator to find out how Budget 2027 will affect your pay

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Unlike last year when there were no changes to basic income tax rates, this year there are a couple of tweaks that will make a difference to your take-home pay. Depending on your personal circumstances, there are various changes to tax credits that you may be able to avail of. Aside from that though, there was a headline change to the higher tax band that will help reduce the tax burden on people in that bracket. Find out exactly how all the changes will affect you by clicking here. View 17 comments Comments Summary AI-GEN

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-calculator-2-7184265-Oct2026/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

New measures to encourage entrepreneurship among firms

Capital gains tax falls from 33% to 31%. The bank levy is extended for a year to raise €200m.

New measures to encourage entrepreneurship and reward risk for Irish firms Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 17:03 Getty Small business owners, risk takers and entrepreneurs are the 'bedrock' of the economy, Simon Harris said today The standard rate of Capital Gains Tax is being reduced from 33% to 31%. Minster for Finance Simon Harris said the changes were made in a bid to encourage entrepreneurship, reward risk and facilitate the scaling-up of home-grown Irish firms. Mr Harris said that small business owners, risk takers and entrepreneurs are the "bedrock of our economy". He also announced chang

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2027/2026/1006/1594218-business-budget-2…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Minimum wage up, with €1.2bn for public sector pay deal

€1.2bn is set aside for a public sector pay deal.

Minimum wage up, with €1.2bn for public sector pay deal Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 15:17 Getty Changes to minimum wage were announced for Budget 2027 Brian O\u0027Donovan By Brian O'Donovan Work & Technology Correspondent Funding of €1.2 billion has been allocated in the Budget for a public sector pay deal. The money will be used to address all elements of both the last public service agreement which expired at the end of June, and any successor pay deal in 2027. "This includes the cost of any associated pension impacts," according to the Department of Public Expenditure. Since last week, w

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1006/1594221-wages-budget-2027/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Funding to recruit 1,000 gardaí, bringing force to 15,000

Funding to recruit 1,000 gardaí, bringing force to 15,000 Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 14:50 Jack Chambers said gardaí play a critical role in ensuring people around the country remain safe Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers has said he is allocating funding to recruit up to 1,000 trainee gardaí, bringing the force to over 15,000 next year. In today's Budget speech, Mr Chambers also announced a package of €1.6 billion for the Department of Defence, an increase of almost 9%. This will provide for 850 new permanent defence force members as well as increases for Air Corps a

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2027/2026/1006/1594276-budget-garda-defe…

T TheJournal.ie —

Higher childcare subsidies for kids up to senior infants won't kick in until next September

The childcare cut is aimed at younger children and starts next September.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. The universal hourly subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme will go from €2.14 to €2.50 for children up to senior infants, the second year of primary school, the government announced today as part of Budget 2027. The monthly cap on childcare fees for kids up to senior infants will now be €550. That’s down from €735, so a 25% cut for parents of children in full-time daycare. The time lag on the measures kicking in means parents of children currently in senior infants won’t benefit. It’s understood the government consid

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-2025-childcare-7183765-Oct2026/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Health service receives highest ever budget of €29bn

Health gets over €29bn, its highest allocation.

Health service receives highest ever budget of €29bn Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 15:01 Getty Funding will go towards improving access to GP out-of-hours services The health service is to receive over €29 billion next year in total funding - its highest ever allocation. It means there will be an extra €1.6 billion for day-to-day spending next year. There will be over €27.3bn for day-to-day services and €1.7bn for capital developments, including the new national children's hospital and the new national maternity hospital. It represents an increase of €160m in capital spending. The staff ceilin

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/health/2026/1006/1594224-health-budget-2027/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Fuel excise cuts extended to June next year

Reduced fuel excise runs to the end of February 2027 and is restored over four months. That is where the 'June' in the headline comes from.

Fuel excise cuts extended to June next year Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 15:15 Minister for Finance Simon Harris has confirmed that the Government will extend the temporary reduced fuel excise rates until the end of February 2027. The cuts, which were first introduced in April, have resulted in a 32c lowering of the price of a litre of diesel while 27c was shaved off the cost per litre of petrol. They had been due to be restored in November, but Mr Harris said in his Budget speech that the Government will begin a "gradual and responsible" restoration of excise in four phases, with a full rest

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1006/1594210-budget-2027-energy/

T TheJournal.ie —

Climate U-turn: Government slashes carbon tax on home heating and freezes increases

Calls the heating carbon tax cut, from €63.50 to €48.50 a tonne, a 'Climate U-turn'.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. The carbon tax rate is to be cut from €63.50 to €48.50 per tonne of CO2, Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced as he unveiled Budget 2027 in the Dáil today. Harris also confirmed that scheduled carbon tax increases will not go ahead for the remainder of the government’s term, marking a significant reversal of the long-standing policy of annual rises. With the cost of home heating oil having soared since the US and Israel’s war on Iran, the move will take some pressure off households, but it has been strongly criticis

Verb for the carbon tax decision: loaded: 'U-turn' and 'slashes' in the headline — “Climate U-turn: Government slashes carbon tax on home heating and freezes increases”

Headline verdict: The headline calls the carbon tax change a 'U-turn' and says the Government 'slashes' it, both in the outlet's own voice. Its text states the cut on heating fuels only. — “Climate U-turn: Government slashes carbon tax on home heating and freezes increases”

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/carbon-tax-pause-ireland-7183368-Oct2026/

T TheJournal.ie —

The annual headline cost of a university degree has been reduced by €150

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. The cut brings the annual cost of a university degree down to €2,350. The reduction is effective immediately, meaning students who have already paid their fees for this year will be able to request refunds in January 2027. There is no change to annual PhD stipends. Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers also announced an increase in the Susi grant for families with more than one child in university. For example, a family with more than one child in college who is currently getting a €500 fee reduction per child will see

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-2027-student-fees-cut-susi-grants-7183…

T TheJournal.ie —

State pension and Jobseekers’ payments to rise by €10 per week from next year

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. The increase is provided for in Budget 2027, announced in the Dáil this afternoon by Finance Minister Simon Harris and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers. These core welfare payments include the State Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Allowance. The €10 increase is in line with last year’s increase. The weekly increase will see the maximum payments increase as follows: All payments listed above are the maximum weekly rates available for each payment. You shou

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-2027-social-welfare-7183604-Oct2026/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Third level student contribution fee to be cut by €150

Third level student contribution fee to be cut by €150 Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 14:23 Getty Student contribution fee will be reduced by €150 The student contribution fee at third level will be permanently reduced by €150 under a range of measures aimed at the education sector in Budget 2027. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers also said there will be a 4.5% increase in the SUSI grant and new student contribution fee grants for families with more than one child at third level. Minister Chambers said Ireland is well placed to "take advantage of the opportunities that AI

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2027/2026/1006/1594222-education-budget-…

T TheJournal.ie —

The higher tax band won't kick in until you earn €46,500

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. THE GOVERNMENT HAS announced increases in an income tax band and thresholds for inheritance tax. Addressing the Dáil today, Minister for Finance Simon Harris announced an increase to the entry band for the higher rate of income tax. The entry threshold will increase by €2,500 from €44,000 to €46,500 for those paying 40% tax. There are proportionate increases for married couples and civil partners. Harris also announced an increase in personal, employee, and earned income credits by €125, and has increased the home carer ta

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/tax-band-changes-budget-2027-7183760-Oct2026/

T TheJournal.ie —

New investment scheme with annual tax-free threshold of €50k to kick in next July

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Announcing Budget 2027 in the Dáil, the Fine Gael leader said Irish people have a strong culture of saving, yet participation in investments remains very low. He said investing can be complex, inaccessible and “something that is reserved for those with significant wealth or significant expertise”. “We, as a government, want to change that.” We’ve known a few details about the new personal investment account for a while now, since Harris flagged that it was in the works earlier this year, but many of the blanks were filled

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/new-investment-scheme-threshold-contribution-…

T TheJournal.ie —

Cigarettes to hit €20 a box for the first time from midnight tonight

Says cigarettes reach €20 a box, up €2.50 over three budgets.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. The increase will mean the cost of a packet of 20 cigarettes has increased by €2.50 in the last three budgets. The standard increase in recent budgets has typically been 50 cents. Other tobacco products will be increased on a pro rata basis, Simon Harris said. “Smoking continues to kill so many Irish people every year. It is important that we continue to discourage and dissuade people, particularly younger people, from smoking,” Harris said as he announced the price increases. Vapes will also become more expensive with an

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/cigarette-price-increase-ireland-7183736-Oct2…

T TheJournal.ie —

Are you a renter? Your tax credit will increase by €150 next year

Gives the rent tax credit as €1,150 for a single person, €9 below RTÉ's figure.

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. This change brings the value of the credit to €1,150 for single people and €2,300 for couples from next year. Confirming announcements made over the summer, the rent-a-room tax credit is being extended to garden cabin rentals between 32 and 45 square metres. The threshold of tax-free income landlords can earn from the rent-a-room scheme has also increased from €14,000 to €16,000. This change applies retrospectively from 27 July this year, when the new planning rules around garden cabins came in. The government has also ann

Figure conflict: Gives the same credit as €1,150. That is a €9 gap with another report on the same measure. — “This change brings the value of the credit to €1,150 for single people and €2,300 for couples from 2027.”

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/rental-tax-credit-budget-2027-7183984-Oct2026/

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Pack of cigarettes up by €1, vape products up 20C per ml

Cigarettes go up €1 a pack of 20. Vape products go up 20 cent per ml.

Pack of cigarettes up by €1, vape products up 20C per ml Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 15:24 Getty The excise duty on cigarettes is being raised Minister for Finance Simon Harris has announced he is increasing the excise duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes by €1, with a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products. The duty on vape products will also be raised by 20 cents per millilitre. The Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) group said that the €1 tobacco tax hike will drive customers away from local shops and into the black market. In a statement, RAS spokesperson Benny Gilsenan said: "More than h

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/1006/1594226-consumer-issues-budge…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Help-to-Buy scheme being increased by €5,000

Help-to-Buy scheme being increased by €5,000 Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 14:29 Getty The Help-to-Buy scheme for first-time buyers is being increased by €5,000 (Stock image) The Help-to-Buy Scheme for first-time buyers is being increased by €5,000 to €35,000, under new measures announced by the Minister for Finance this afternoon. Simon Harris told the Dáil that €9 billion is being spent on building new homes this year and that housing remains a priority for the Government. He said the only long-term solution to issues around housing is increased supply and as part of efforts to provide more

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1006/1594234-housing-budget-2027/

T TheJournal.ie —

Budget 2027: Here are the main points you need to know

An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. We have a new finance minister this year in the form of Simon Harris, who delivers his first budget of what will likely be two before he rotates into the role of taoiseach late next year. Harris has sought to temper expectations for this budget, saying last week that “there’s only so much” one budget can do. Despite this, people pushed to the pin of their collar are looking for some help from the government and a repeat of last year’s budget when restraint was the order of the day probably won’t cut it. Our liveblog of the

Read it at TheJournal.ie → https://www.thejournal.ie/budget-2027-ireland-main-points-7183694-Oct20…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Carbon tax rise on fuel paused but two hikes next year

Headline frames the road-fuel decision as a pause, with two rises next year.

Carbon Tax rise on fuel paused but two hikes next year Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 15:29 Getty For solid fuels, which benefited from a deferral of Carbon Tax in May of this year, there will be a double increase on 1 May 2027 David Murphy By David Murphy Economics and Public Affairs Editor The Government has paused a scheduled increase of Carbon Tax on petrol and diesel which had been due to rise this month but there will be two rises next year. The tax will increase on 1 May and again on 13 October 2027. In Budget documentation, the Department of Finance says the tax had been due to increase

Verb for the carbon tax decision: neutral-temporary: 'paused', with the later rises in the same sentence — “The Government has paused a scheduled increase of Carbon Tax on petrol and diesel”

Measure chosen: Calls the change on road fuel a 'pause', and gives the two rises due next year in the same sentence — “The Government has paused a scheduled increase of Carbon Tax on petrol and diesel which had been due to rise this month but there will be two rises next year.”

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/budget-2027/2026/1006/1594236-climate-carbon-ta…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Irish Investment Account to open on 1 July 2027

'Range of options' under Irish Investment Account, says Harris Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 14:09 Getty Details of the proposed Personal Investment Account were announced Minister for Finance Simon Harris has said there will be a range of options available to people under the Irish Investment Account, which will open on 1 July 2027. Speaking in the Dáil, Mr Harris said the Government wants to make "investing simpler, clearer and more accessible to people". There will be no minimum contribution, holding or lock-in period for investors. They will also be allowed to move their accounts between p

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1006/1594235-investment-accounts-…

R RTÉ News — PUBLIC

Minister wants €500 disability payment in effect by March

The €500 disability payment reaches about 240,000 people. Campaigners say it is €9.62 a week against the €55 they sought. The minister wants it paid by the end of March.

Minister wants €500 disability payment in effect by end of March Updated / Tuesday, 6 Oct 2026 17:33 Getty The new €500 cost-of-disability payment will be provided to an estimated 240,000 people in receipt of other long-term disability payments (Stock image) By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith Ailbhe Conneely The Minister for Social Protection has said that he wants the Government's new €500 cost-of-disability payment to come into effect by the end of next March or "as early as possible". The payment was confirmed in the Dáil when the Minister for Public Expenditure said that it will be provided to an esti

Measure chosen: annual payment converted to a weekly sum and set against campaigners' figure — “its €9.62 per week amount falls short of the €55 sum called for”

Read it at RTÉ News → https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2026/1006/1594230-carers-disability-al…

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TheJournal.ie calls Ireland's carbon tax change a 'U-turn'; RTÉ calls it a 'pause' with two rises next year

What is being argued about

Four words for one carbon tax decision

Whether workers gain depends on the salary chosen

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