Tánaiste Simon Harris has signalled that next week's budget will contain measures to tackle vacancy and dereliction in cities and towns.
The Fine Gael leader indicated to his parliamentary party last night that greater assistance is needed to bring vacant properties back into use, and make it easier to convert commercial premises into residential.
It seems measures in Budget 2026 will enable more people to apply for grants, while restrictions on applicable buildings and locations will be eased.
Sinn Féin is due to unveil its alternative budget this morning in Dublin, which is understood to include a 2.5bn euro cost of living package as well as proposals on making rent more affordable and providing for 500 additional beds in the health service next year.
Additional tax measures include increasing the vacant homes tax, and creating a wealth tax commission to end what it terms extreme wealth being sheltered from meaningful taxation.
Labour will launch its alternative budget with a focus on eradicating child poverty.
The party said it would direct the money earmarked for a hospitality VAT cut to anti-child poverty measures instead.
It estimates this would free up in the order of €700 million, which could fund a new second-tier of child benefit along with an increase of €15 per week to the Child Support Payment.
Labour would extend the Fuel Allowance to all families on the Working Family Payment.
The party is proposing an Energy Income Tax Credit for households with incomes below €80,000 and with BER ratings below B2.
This would provide a payment of €400 to these households.
It would cost €270m and could benefit over 675,000 households.
The party is calling for a subvention for the State-imposed PSO and network changes to reduce bills for business and households at a cost of €250m.
Labour's alternative budget would increase all core weekly social protection rates by €16.
