So, which side of the coin are you on when it comes to Budget 2026? Certainly, politicians have already made their positions clear.
For Government, the €9.4bn plan is all about "protecting jobs", building "a stronger and better economy" and ensuring a "pro-investment" economy.
But for the Opposition, the financial blueprint for the coming year shows those in power are "out of touch", "delivering nothing" and that when "the dust settles" the message to ordinary people will be "you're on your own".
As with most political debates, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle of the maelstrom, with the competing demands of ensuring economic stability while trying to address the cost-of-living and housing crises never an easy balancing act.
Ultimately of course, what matters most is what ordinary people think of the Budget - with the impact of the financial initiatives over the coming period likely to decide which side you will end up on when the Budget coin stops spinning.
Tax cuts for developers and restaurants, none for workers
Tax cuts are always one of the most talked about budget areas, and this year is no different - although not quite in the way many would have hoped it to be.
Unlike in previous years, the biggest Budget winners when it comes to tax cuts this year are developers, who have received significant tax breaks at the same time as little to no tax changes are taking place for ordinary workers.
As part of the Budget 2026 plans, the hospitality sector VAT rate will be cut from 13.5% to 9%.
The move - which includes restaurants, pubs and hairdressers - will be introduced in summer next year, and is understandably being seen as a key win by groups like the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
Similarly, tax incentives are being introduced for developers to help encourage an increase in the building of new apartments - something which it should be noted is as beneficial to Government in its ongoing housing target struggles as it is anyone else.
Budget 2026 has outlined a reduction in the VAT rate on the sale of completed new apartment sales from 13.5% to 9%, a move that is likely to be worth a small fortune to developers.
Those two tax changes for developers and the hospitality sector have provoked a less than charitable response from opposition TDs, including Labour's finance spokesperson Ged Nash who took a giant bite out of the Government's Budget plans and said it wasn't to his taste.
"It [Government] has chosen Ronald McDonald over Joe and Joan Murphy, your man from Supermac's over the man who gets up early in the morning.
"The Hamburglar from the 1980s McDonald’s ad is back in town swiping hundreds of millions in his swag bag from PAYE workers," he said, a view echoed by Social Democrats TD Cian O Callaghan who said: "The Government’s McBudget is hard to swallow."
While Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers are of the view the Budget menu is what is needed to keep the economy stable, there is a reason for the Opposition's tax plan criticism.
And that is the fact that those incentives are in stark contrast to what is on offer for individuals. Namely, and for many already struggling, it is a difficult reality to swallow, nothing.
Budget 2026 has put forward no personal income tax changes for workers, while the indexation of the tax brackets has also not changed for the first time in a number of years, meaning workers who receive pay increases will potentially risk paying a higher rate of tax sooner.
Government has attempted to argue that the situation is being addressed for those most in need by some extra supports.
But just like with the tax division, there is disagreement on that matter too.
Extra supports but no wider cost-of-living plan
While increases in a number of welfare supports have been outlined in Budget 2026, the question of whether enough is being done to address the cost-of-living crisis is another bone of contention in the aftermath of the plan's announcement.
The Government has earmarked €27bn for social protection services next year, which remains one of the largest spends across the exchequer.
This includes a €10 increase in weekly social welfare payments including the State pension; a double week Christmas bonus for long-term social welfare recipients; and a €60 increase to the working family payment for those in need.
The income disregard for the carer's allowance will also increase to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple; the domiciliary care allowance by €20 to €380 per month; and the weekly fuel allowance rate from €33 to €38.
In addition, the weekly child support payment rate will increase by €8 for children under 12 and €16 for children over 12, to €58 and €78 respectively, while the back to school clothing and footwear payment will be extended to two- and three-year-olds.
Some of those changes will be welcomed, but it has been noted that they fall far short of what has been on offer in previous budget attempts to address the deepening cost-of-living crisis - including last year's financial plans announced just weeks before the general election was called.
As was widely expected and despite a near universal view from opposition TDs that it was needed, there is no cost-of-living package in Budget 2026.
In addition, the high-profile €250 energy credits are not being renewed, while other incentives opposition parties and advocacy groups are not included in the plans - a situation which is certain to continue to be returned to in the months to come due to the growing grip of the cost-of-living and housing crises.
Housing crisis continues to feel at home
One of those seemingly never-ending crises, housing, is another pressure point for Budget 2026, an argument Government, Opposition and sadly ordinary members of the public are now all too well versed in discussing.
First, the positive news.
For people renting, the rent tax credit which was due to run out this year will now be extended to the end of 2028.
For home owners facing rising interest rates, the mortgage interest tax relief scheme will also be continued for another two years.
And, in addition to the controversial tax breaks for developers, Government has committed to try to speed up housing and apartment construction by increasing the "over the shop" premises relief from €200,000 to €300,000, as well as replacing the derelict site levy with a new, firmer derelict property tax.
But, as ever with a budget, there's also bad news, including the fact that the help to buy scheme will not be increased above its €30,000 cap and the First Home Scheme which is also intended to assist people in buying a home will not be extended to non-new-build homes.
It has also been pointed out by critics of the Budget that the "over the shop" premises relief is another win for developers which could contribute to smaller apartments being built, while Labour's housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan has predicted the new derelict property tax could take years to introduce.
All that means there will be yet more pressure on Minister for Housing James Browne when he outlines his latest plan to fix the housing crisis in the coming weeks.
Other divisive areas
The Budget 2026 areas of debate, of course, are not just limited to those outlined above, with many other sectors also the subject of debate.
While the carer's allowance will rise to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple, the means test has not been abolished, an issue advocacy groups have long sought.
Although the Government has come good on its €500 college fees cut, this comes months after a previous figure of €1,000 was being completely removed, meaning it remains a source of political division.
The bank levy of €200m has also not been increased, while there has been a 50c increase in the price of a 20 pack of cigarettes.
One area probably unlikely to be criticised too heavily, though, will be the fact there is no increase in alcohol tax prices.
One small mercy as people sit down to discuss what side of the Budget 2026 coin they have fallen on in the weeks and months to come.
Read more:
Minimum wage up, housing boost, no tax cuts for workers
How will Budget 2026 impact your finances?
