Budget 2026 is focused on protecting jobs and growth, according to Government, but opposition parties say it offers little relief for ordinary workers.
With one-off measures being phased out in favour of other types of supports, here are profiles of six households, to give you a sense of how Budget 2026 might impact your finances.
The figures were calculated by accountancy firm KPMG.
1) Single parent, salary €33,000, two school-age children
According to KPMG, a single parent on a salary of €33,000 with two school-age children will be €2,926 better off under the measures announced in Budget 2026.
The increase comes largely from a boost of €1,886 in the Working Family Payment. Receiving that payment now makes this family eligible for the Fuel Allowance, which gave them an additional amount for 2026 of €1,064. Their taxes are unchanged.
Although the parent's income tax remains unchanged, a small saving of €13 is recorded from adjustments to the Universal Social Charge (USC), thanks to a change to the threshold to the higher USC rate. However, a €37 rise in PRSI offsets these gains. Their PRSI bill will increase in line with a previous announcement that saw the employee rate increase from 4.2 - 4.35%.
With the government announcing an end to once-off cost of living payments, this family will no longer receive a €250 energy credit or additional working family and child benefit payments which would have amounted to €960 last year.
In total, the family would have been €1,210 better off last year from one-off payments, that are not applicable this year. This profile is living with family, and therefore would not be eligible for a renter’s credit.
2) Single person, salary €45,000, renter
A single person earning €45,000 and renting their home will be €37 worse off under the Budget 2026 measures, according to KPMG analysis.
Tax is unchanged, but their PRSI bill has gone up, leaving them €51 worse off, partly offset by a €13 saving from the USC. Overall, they lose €37 from their take-home pay.
This earner's income tax credits are unchanged. They can still claim the €1,000 renters’ tax credit, which has been extended until 2028, but like all households they will no longer benefit from a €250 energy credit.
3) Married couple, two incomes of €47,500, three school-age children, renters
A married couple each earning €47,500, renting their home and with three school-age children will be €81 worse off under Budget 2026.
There was no increase to the family's child benefit payments. Their income tax is unchanged, however their PRSI bill rises by €107, and this is only partly offset by a €26 saving from USC.
They have also lost the once-off energy credits seen in previous years and double child benefit payments last year. However, they can still claim the €1,000 renters’ tax credit, which has been extended until 2028.
This family wouldn’t qualify for a back to school allowance because they’re above the earning threshold.
4) Two minimum wage earners, one full-time, one part-time, two school-age children, renters
According to KPMG, a household with two earners on the minimum wage – one working full-time and the other part-time – renting their home and with two school-age children will be €3,683 better off under this budget.
Their gross pay rises by €1,994 with the increase in the minimum wage. The Working Family Payment is up €751, and as they qualify for that payment, they are now newly eligible for the Fuel Allowance, worth €1,064 in 2026.
Due to their higher earnings, their USC is up €40, but they are still paying at the 2% band rather than moving into the 3% higher rate. Their PRSI bill has risen by €87 due to previously announced rate rises.
While no additional child benefit or once-off double child benefit payment was announced, and they do not qualify for the back-to-school allowance, they will continue to receive the €1,000 renters' tax credit.
5) Retired couple, both State pensioners
A retired couple who are both State pensioners will be €1,200 better off under Budget 2026.
Their combined State Pension rises by €1,040, reflecting an extra €10 per week for each of them. The Christmas bonus has also been doubled, giving them an additional €20. On top of this, their Fuel Allowance increases by €140.
Despite the higher pension income, there is no change to their tax bill as it is fully sheltered by tax credits.
Like all households, they no longer receive the once-off energy credits that were in place in earlier years.
6) Married couple, two incomes totaling €140,000, two school-age children, mortgage
A married couple with two school-age children, a mortgage, and a combined income of €140,000 will be €131 worse off under this budget, according to KPMG.
There is no change to their tax or child benefit. Their PRSI bill has increased by €158, but this is partly offset by a €26 saving from the USC.
The mortgage tax credit, worth €1,250, has been retained, however, the once-off energy credits of €250 and the additional child benefit payments, worth €560, are gone, leaving this household with fewer supports than in previous years.
Further profiles as well as a debate between Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty, will feature on Prime Time at 9.35pm on RTÉ One tonight.
