Irish ministers meet to finalise Budget 2027 ahead of Tuesday delivery

Irish government ministers met at Government Buildings on Monday to finalise Budget 2027, which will be delivered on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports by The Journal and Irish Independent. Tánaiste Simon Harris said that a proposed 100 euro culture card for 16-year-olds to spend on arts, cultural, and music venues is not dead in the water, as cited by The Journal and RTE. [1][2][5]

The Minister for Finance stated on his way into the meetings that the government wants to assist first-time buyers, though his views on exempting them from stamp duty have not changed, The Journal reported. Submissions regarding housing and tax measures have been sent to the Department of Finance, according to the outlet. [1]

The Irish Independent and the Irish Examiner reported that proposed budget measures include capping childcare fees at 550 euros a month for children up to senior infants and cutting college fees by 1,500 euros for parents with two children in higher education. [4][5]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, Tánaiste Simon Harris and his wife Caoimhe Wade recently welcomed a baby girl ahead of the budget announcement, after which he plans to take paternity leave. [7][12]