🔴Live Budget 2027: What we know so far, changes to tax and social welfare expected

The total cost of Budget 2027 is expected to reach €8.5bn, and the list of changes is set to be unveiled on Tuesday. Follow along with our blog to keep up to date.

14:35: Funding provided for 850 new Defence Forces members

Jack Chambers said €354m of the funding will deliver the likes of new helicopters and military radars.

14:30: Further funding for SNA's and teachers

A €56m increase for special education needs in all schools has been announced, this will help to fund 2,339 additional SNAs in 2027.

14:27: Funding allocated for relocation of National Maternity Hospital.

As part of the National Development Fund, with €1,7bn being allocated to health infrastructure projects, which includes the expansion of the Surgical Hub Network and progressing treatment centres in Cork, Galway and Dublin.

14:18: Childcare fees to be capped at €500 per month

Minister Chambers has confirmed that the maximum fees paid by parents for childcare from €735 to €550 per month.

14:16: Weekly social welfare will rise by €10

This is part of a €30.9bn package for the Department of Social Protection.

14:00: Minister for Jack Chambers announces €6bn for MetroLink until 2030.

There will also be a €5.5bn allocation to the Department of Transport, to cover the launch of the Vehicle Adaptation Scheme, while supporting the regional airport connectivity.

Chambers said that MetroLink will "transform our capital city".

13:52: Packet of Cigarettes will rise €1, e-liquid products will rise 20cent.

Excise duty on a pack of 20 cigarettes will be raised by €1, with a pro-rata increase on other tobacco products..

13:45: Fifteen million euro support package announced for rural pubs.

Harris said: "Rural pubs are at the heart of many local communities, providing a place where families, friends and neighbours can come together."

13:39: There are plans to tackle derelict properties across the country

Harris said that dereliction was a "scourge" in many towns and cities across the country.

He announced plans in this years Finance Bill that will see a new derelict property tax be put in place.

13:24: Will be no further increase in Carbon Tax in the lifetime of the Government.

There will be a reduction in Carbon Tax to €48.50 per tonne of CO2.

Harris also confirms that the fuel excise reductions will be in place until February 28 2027.

Harris said: From that point we will begin a gradual and responsible restoration of excise in four phases, with a full restoration not occurring until June 30 2027.

13:18: Harris confirms that there will be changes to the Capital Acquisition Tax thresholds.

Group A threhsold will increase from €400,000 to €420,000, Group B threshold will increase from €40,000 to €44,000 and Group C will increase €20,000 to €22,000.

13:14: The entry threshold for USC 3% band by €1,600, from €28,700 to €30,300.

13:11: In 2027, Ireland will deliver a surplus of €9.5 billion.

13:06: Minister for Finance Simon Harris has begun his speech to announce Budget 2027.

He said: "This Budget is being delivered at a time of great uncertainty."

13:00: Ministers taking their seats for this years Budget announcements

12:30: This is a Budget for families, for workers and helping people with the rising costs- Micheál Martin

11:20: Budget is a lot of "tokenistic tick-box measures by the Government." - Boyd Barrett.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett spoke to RTÉ on his way into Leinster House, saying the Budget will likely allocate "crumbs" to working people, saying there is "nothing substantial" to help people with rising energy prices.

11:00 am: Rent a room scheme to be expanded

Homeowners may be able to get €16,000 tax free for renting out a room, this was previously set at €14,000.

The Taoiseach has said that the scheme would be expanded to help with the shortage of housing stock.

10:50: Excise duty on a pack of cigarettes could rise by €1.

This rise could push some packs above €20.

10:46 am: Disability is a "key priority" for Government.

Taoiseach confirmed to RTÉ that a cost of disability payment will be introduced, in order to ease the pressures that come with having a disability.

He said: "For the first time ever there will be a cost of disability payment to be introduced. This will be significant for both the here and now but also the future."

10:45 am: Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke on his way in, calling it a "comprehensive budget".

The Taoiseach spoke to RTÉ this morning, highlighting the importance of easing the pressures on people.

He said: "The income tax cuts will mean a lot to workers, it will be significant to workers in helping them reduce pressures in terms of cost of living."

10:40am: €150 increase in the rent tax credit expected

Along with the increase to the Help To Buy Scheme, there is set to be a €150 increase in the rent tax credit, rising to €1,150 for a single person, while a jointly assessed couple will see an increase to €2,300.

9:40 am: Minister Jack Chambers claims this will be a budget for workers

Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers spoke to RTÉ this morning, saying: "I think it'll be a budget for workers. Areas like the cost of childcare, cost of disability, the cost of energy, where the Government is really prioritising these areas when it comes to Budget 2027, as well as expansion in critical areas like special education, disability services and ensuring that we build a better state."

9:30 am: Help to buy limit to be raised to €35,000 for first time buyers

First‑time buyers are set to receive a boost under the Government’s new housing measures, with the Help‑to‑Buy scheme increasing from €30,000 to €35,000.

The change, due to be confirmed as part of Budget 2027, will allow eligible purchasers of new homes to claim back up to €35,000 in income tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid over the previous four years.

Sources indicate that Housing Minister James Browne had initially sought a larger uplift of €20,000 to the scheme’s ceiling. However, concerns were raised at cabinet level that a more substantial increase could feed into higher prices for new builds.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris is understood to have cautioned against a bigger rise, warning it risked being absorbed by developers through price increases rather than improving affordability for buyers.

The final outcome is a €5,000 increase, bringing the maximum relief to €35,000, short of the €50,000 figure some industry voices had called for, but still a significant enhancement for those entering the market.

9:00 am: Poll: What are the issues that matter to you the most?

Follow the link below for our poll.

What has been confirmed:

The package includes €7bn in overall spending, but the remaining €1.5bn will be split among tax measures.

Although the exact figures will be announced on Budget Day, the Government have confirmed an increase to the national minimum wage, this is expected to rise to €14.94 per hour.

Minister Simon Harris had previously confirmed that there is an intention to increase the Childcare Services Tax Relief threshold.

This year, there is a focus on energy and energy upgrades, with Minister for Energy Darragh O'Brien confirming that the boiler scrappage scheme was brought to Cabinet. This will allow grants of up to €14,500 to replace oil boilers with heat pumps or newer technologies.

A €600 grant has also been announced to allow people to install storage batteries as part of their solar package investment.

The exact amount has not been confirmed, but there looks to be an increase in the rent tax credit. This is currently €1,000 for a single applicant, and €2,000 for joint.

There has been confirmation that excise duty cuts on petrol and diesel will continue for the rest of year, although reversal may come into effect after February 2027.

Expected measures:

These measures have not yet been formally announced, although they are widely reported to be likely or expected.

An increase to the Income Tax bands is expected, and this looks set to be an increase from €44,000 to €46,000 for an entry point to the 40% higher rate.

Some small reductions are expected in capital gains tax and inheritance tax, although details are not established yet.

There looks to be a €10 increase in the State pension and other welfare payments, as well as a €5 per week increase to the fuel allowance, or a lump sum of €300.

Widely reported is a new annual cost-of-disability payment, which is expected to be paid as a single lump sum in January. The total could be around €400.

There is an overall package expected for childcare costs, with an increase to the National Childcare Scheme expected, as well as other cuts to childcare costs potentially saving parents €1,000 per year.

When it comes to third-level fees, a discount of €750 is expected for families with more than one child in higher education.

There is an expected increase of €250 in the rent tax credit, along with further support for retrofitting older homes.

There is also expected funding for 1,000 new Gardai as part of the Justice budget.

Tune back into any of the seven Celtic Media Group titles to keep up to date with Budget 2027 announcements.