It had been well-flagged that there would be no significant income tax cuts in this budget but that has not lessened the level of criticism from the opposition, from workers and from their representatives.
Budgets of recent years have delivered tax cuts in the form of increased credits or the moving of tax bands but not this time around.
At a time of 2% inflation and 5% wage growth that means workers will end up with a greater tax burden next year, it is effectively a tax increase by stealth.
"For the first time in five years, income tax credits and bands have not been adjusted for inflation, meaning many workers will face an unexpected tax hike in 2026," said Cróna Clohisey, Director of Members & Advocacy, Chartered Accountants Ireland.
"Wage growth will push more earners into the 40% tax bracket, while rising PRSI contributions further erode disposable income," she said.
"This squeeze on take-home pay, despite no change in tax rates, will inevitably impact consumer spending," Ms Clohisey added.
In its analysis, Grant Thornton Ireland takes the example of a married couple earning €45,000 a year each with two children.
When you exclude child benefit that family was €1,850 better off following last year's budget. But following Budget 2026, that same family is €75 worse off.
Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said the VAT cut for the hospitality sector was a "grotesque giveaway" that meant workers will lose out.
"The Government could have indexed tax bands for 2.8 million workers. Each worker in the economy is now going to paying a subsidy of €250 to the hospitality sector," Mr Reidy said.
"Most workers on middle incomes will look at this budget and say they are being treated as fools one year after the election, there's very little in it for them," he added.
SIPTU General Secretary Joe Cunningham said the budget delivered for employers at the expense of workers' living standards.
"While business owners are receiving VAT and corporation tax cuts, workers' wages will receive no protection from inflation," Mr Cunningham said.
Unions have warned that the lack of tax cuts in the budget could lead to higher wage demands and potential industrial unrest.
Unite said many workers will be running to stand still following the decision to focus on tax breaks for builders and restaurants rather than inflation-proofing income tax bands.
"Workers now have no choice but to organise in defence of their living standards," said Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham.
The Finance Minister said the scope for significant personal tax cuts was limited in this budget but that they remain committed to making progressive changes over the lifetime of the Government, if the economy remains strong.
From next year, the minimum wage will increase by 65 cent an hour and there will there be adjustments to ensure that full-time workers on that wage will remain outside the top rate of USC.
But the Government has been criticised by some groups for not going further with a higher increase, and for not abolishing sub-minimum pay rates for younger workers.
"When VAT is cut for hospitality and the minimum wage rises, it's indefensible that young workers are still paid less," said Kathryn Walsh, Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Youth Council of Ireland.
The Mandate trade union said the Government's discrimination against young workers was reinforced in the budget.
"While gifting a VAT rate cut bonanza to the hospitality sector and rightly increasing the Minimum Wage, Ministers Donohoe and Chambers refused to increase the sub-minimum wage rates for younger workers," said Jim Fuery, Assistant General Secretary, Mandate.
Businesses, meanwhile, say the higher minimum wage is another increased cost they will have to deal with.
"SMEs continue to face rising costs in energy, insurance, wages, and compliance, with little in this budget to deliver the structural reform needed to support competitiveness or protect local employment," ISME said in its budget response.
