Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

The same can be said of our artists. Throughout our history, our arts community and the world-class talent it boasts has ensured Ireland has always been a home of creativity.

In recognition of the essential role of the arts and artists in our society, the previous Government introduced a pilot basic income for the arts scheme and this Government is now committing to deliver a successor scheme to begin next year. In addition to this, I am allocating €84.9 million for arts and culture in 2026 to provide for increased funding for major projects, such as the Crawford Art Gallery. I am also allocating €433 million to support the completion of the national broadband plan, while €5 million in additional funding will strengthen the post office network to enhance its role at the very heart of rural and community life.

The 2026 allocation of €357 million to broadcasting will include provision for: €65.4 milliún do TG4, lena n-áirítear méadú €5.4 milliún chun ábhair Ghaeilge ar ardchaighdeán, cláir do pháistí agus seirbhísí nuachta níos leithne a chinntiú, that is, €65.4 million for TG4, including a €5.4 million increase to ensure high-quality Irish language content, children’s programming and expanded news services; and support for the continued delivery of the reform and transformation agenda in RTÉ. Celebrating our culture means celebrating the people living in the towns, villages and communities right across our island.

Shared Island, Rural & Community Development & the Gaeltacht

This Government is committed to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland where people can live, work and connect. We will continue to support the shared island initiative, doubling resources by a further €1 billion out to 2035. In 2026, this will see: the major Narrow Water Bridge and Ulster Canal restoration projects forging ahead; a new Dublin-Derry air link commencing, enabling regular air travel between the two cities; and programmes to develop the bioeconomy, support green capital investment by firms, grow tourism across our Border regions, and enable world-leading research collaborations. This important work will allow us to continue to develop consensus around a shared future on our island.

This Government is committed to supporting vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland where people can live and connect. Today, I am allocating €611 million to the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. This funding will support a range of targeted initiatives. I am allocating €192 million to rural development and regional affairs in 2026. This includes an increase of €5 million for rural supports and the rural regeneration and development fund. An increase in the current allocation of €9 million for community development supports brings the total allocation in 2026 to €260 million. This includes: €4 million in increased funding for the community services programme, bringing total funding to over €59 million; €3 million in additional capital funding for the community centre investment fund to support refurbishment grants for community centres; and €3.8 million in increased funding for the PEACEPLUS programme to support the drawdown of committed cross-Border projects in 2026.

Tá sé ríthábhachtach go ndéanfaimis na réigiúin Ghaeltachta a fhorbairt agus a chosaint, lena chinntiú go mbeidh na moil teanga agus chultúir seo ábalta fás agus forbairt. Táim ag leithdháileadh €159 milliún don Ghaeltacht agus do na hoileáin. Is méadú €36 milliún é sin le haghaidh 2026. San áireamh sa mhéadú sin beidh: €11.5 milliún de mhaoiniú caipitil do bhonneagar na n-oileán, lena n-áirítear tús a chur leis an obair fheabhsúcháin ar an gcé ar Inis Oírr; €12 milliún de mhaoiniú caipitil do shaoráidí Gaeilge agus cultúir; agus €3.5 milliún de mhaoiniú caipitil méadaithe do scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge. Strong communities thrive when people feel safe, protected and supported.

SECURITY AND SAFETY

Justice

A Cheann Comhairle, everyone who lives in this country should feel safe in his or her home and community. With this in mind, I am announcing €6.17 billion for the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. This will fund a range of measures, including: the recruitment of up to 1,000 trainee gardaí in 2026, an additional 200 civilian staff, further intakes into the Garda Reserve and €19 million to increase the budget for Garda overtime; an additional €39 million for the Irish Prison Service to respond to demand trends; an increase of €11 million for the Courts Service; over €6.7 million of additional funding for the Irish Probation Service and additional funding to complete the roll-out of local community safety partnerships; €11.5 million of additional funding to provide for domestic and gender-based violence initiatives in 2026; and a further €7.3 million will continue significant progress in youth justice interventions. Further investment will support international protection processing to increase capacity as well as providing for costs associated with international protection and temporary protection accommodation.

In the area of reform, the Courts Service will continue its modernisation programme, implementing and rolling out eProbate and a range of other measures to significantly reduce processing timelines and improve the service to the public. Targeted investment through the Probation Service and youth justice schemes will help to divert young people away from crime, tackle recidivism and reduce the need for detention, where appropriate. In addition, work will continue to free up Garda members to spend less time on administration and more time on the front line and in our communities, in addition to a focus on developing the Garda Reserve.

Defence

Ireland is committed to safeguarding our national security while contributing to international peace and stability. To support these goals, I am announcing €1.49 billion in funding for the Department of Defence for 2026. This represents an 11% increase and will provide for: a net increase of 400 Defence Forces members; the creation of 50 new civilian posts next year; the recruitment of an additional 70 civil servants to work in critically important areas, such as cybersecurity; and a range of non-pay measures, including a new Defence Forces uniform, equipment and maintenance projects, enhanced recruitment advertising, additional funding to progress maritime security, digital transformation, and training and healthcare supports for the Defence Forces. This investment will also enable the progression of ongoing reforms arising from the Commission on the Defence Forces and the independent review group’s recommendations.

I am also funding a range of infrastructure projects in defence in 2026, including: progression of the military radar programme; procurement of a modern software-defined radio system; roll-out of a new general service body armour system for the Defence Forces; the ongoing upgrade of armoured personnel carriers; and further modernisation and renovation of military installations throughout the country.

Conclusion

A Cheann Comhairle, the success of our State and its people over the last 100 years can be seen in our ability to adapt and thrive. For all the challenges we have faced, we have persevered; we have always found a way. Time and time again, we have turned uncertainty into opportunity, challenge into success. Budget 2026 is our country’s collective step forward towards a fairer, better and more resilient future. We know what our challenges are, and we must now grasp the opportunity to overcome them. We must build the foundation for our future: homes, communities and a country connected by a clear vision of a bigger and brighter future for ourselves and for our children. Is é seo an bóthar ceart dár dtír agus dár mhuintir. This is the right path for our country and our people.

I commend this budget to the House.

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