Four in five Irish voters fear budget will not cover fuel hikes

Four in five voters do not believe that personal financial gains from the upcoming budget will be enough to cover rising winter fuel costs, according to a Sunday Independent and Ireland Thinks poll reported by The Journal. The poll findings come just days before the government unveils Budget 2027 on Tuesday, with the cost of living remaining the top concern for households. [1]

The Journal reported that the survey puts Sinn Féin narrowly ahead as the most popular political party in the country, standing at 19 percent support. Approval ratings for Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also rose by three percentage points in the latest polling. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated that the government is leaning towards pausing carbon tax increases on home heating oil, kerosene, and gas for the remainder of its term. FTMQ News also previously reported that the upcoming budget aims to ease pressure on families through a confirmed social welfare Christmas bonus and a major childcare package, while energy credits have not been ruled out. [3][4]