Budget 2026: Government to Announce on October 7

Budget Day will take place on Tuesday, 7 October, according to Government sources.

Budget 2026 comes against the backdrop of 15% tariffs on goods exported to the US, and threats by US President Donald Trump of even higher tariffs on pharmaceuticals.

Last month, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers, laid out a package worth €9.4bn, but the Summer Economic Statement came before the announcement of the 15% tariff rate.

The Summer Economic Statement set out around €1.5bn of tax cuts with a spending package of €7.9bn – a 7.3% increase on 2025.

Mr Chambers also confirmed last month that there will be no one-off cost-of-living payments in Budget 2026.

Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One at the time, he said the Government wanted to take decisions that would be “sustainable with global uncertainty”.

While business group Ibec has previously said Budget 2026 must be “sensible and prudent” given the fragile global environment.

When launching its pre-budget submission, it urged the Government to take a “measured and strategic approach”.

The group also called for targeted investment in areas that enhance productivity and competitiveness.