Budget 2026 Calculator: How much will I get as a worker, parent or pensioner?

LOUTH LIVE'S BUDGET 2026 COVERAGE IS SPONSORED BY CONNECT CREDIT UNION

Budget 2026 was announced this afternoon by government Ministers Jack Chambers and Paschal Donohoe - but what do ordinary people have to gain?

A couple on the state pension

Two retirees on the old age pension can expect an annual household increase in regular pension payments of €1,040 ( €520 each) for 2026. 

This means that the non-contributory state pension will go from €278 to €288 for people aged 66 to 79. 

Come Christmas time the couple will receive a double bonus payment - which will amount to €556 extra for the pair. 

The weekly fuel allowance rate will go up by €5, from €33 to €38. 

The same top up of ten euro per week and Christmas double payment will apply to recipients of the disability allowance, carer’s allowance, jobseeker’s payments and one-Parent Family Payment.  

Single minimum wage worker  

The minimum wage will increase by 65 cent -  from €13.50 to €14.15 per hour. 

This means that the average annual minimum wage for someone who works 35 hours per week will increase from €24,570 to €25,753. 

The change will come into effect on 1 January, 2025. 

The lower USC band rate has been extended so that minimum wage workers will not be subject to a higher rate of tax.  

The renters’ tax credit of €1,000 is to be extended for the next three years. 

Parents 

Child support payments will increase by €8 for children under 12 and €16 for children 12 and over. 

Back-to-school footwear and clothing allowances will be expanded to two and three year old children. 

The eligibility for the fuel allowance will be extended to those in receipt of working family payments.

For those putting their children through college, a reduction of €500 in the student registration fee has been announced. However, this is down from the temporary measure to reduce the fees by €1,000 that was part of last year’s budget. 

Inflation is forecasted at a rate of two percent for 2026.