Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach. I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the debate on budget 2026, which was, of course, presented to the Dáil by the Ministers for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and Finance yesterday.

Each year, my Department is presented with a finite budget and is tasked with making things better for the people of Ireland. I know this is a cause that we all share and are passionate about. Budget 2026 is fair and inclusive, and has a focus on strategic and long-term priorities while delivering better outcomes for everyone. It has been designed to protect and create employment, supporting and strengthening our growing economy. It provides for and encourages long-term sustainability and sustainable strategic investment in our country and its future.

A key focus of the budget was to support improvements in our public services that deliver for the people of Ireland. We can all see the pressures in public services all around us and the demands on housing, health and education. They are all increasing due to demographic changes and a growing population. We are living longer and families need different types of support. People expect inclusive, integrated and high-quality public services to deliver that. This budget will help to support ambitions in this area.

Budget 2026 will support a social welfare system that protects the most vulnerable people in our society, an education system that supports our students and fosters talent and a health service that improves patient outcomes and supports longevity. As well as improvements to public services, this budget, the first from our new Government, introduces targeted and permanent measures that provide certainty for people, especially those in society who are most vulnerable, in the form of social protection.

As a Government, we are acutely aware of the challenges people face today. The €10 increase in weekly social protection payments will benefit pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, jobseekers and lone parents. Increases to the working family parent income threshold, the expansion of the back-to-school clothing and footwear payment to younger children and the extension of the fuel allowance scheme to everybody availing of the working family payment bring welcome relief for families around the country.

We have also announced a permanent fee reduction in the third level student contribution. The budget provides significant supports for the most vulnerable groups in our society and represents a step forward for people with disabilities and their families. Particularly welcome are significant increases to the carer's allowance income disregard and in the domiciliary care allowance payments to support Ireland's carers who work tirelessly to support loved ones.

To complement that, there is provision in the budget for new residential care placements and day service placements for those who need them. This, along with funding for assessments, home support and personal assistants, will bring welcome relief to those caring for people with disabilities and will support people to live independently in their own homes. These supports, along with additional SNAs and an increased number of teachers working specifically to support students with additional needs, will be welcomed by families around the country, as will the new acute hospital and community beds announced today.

Budget 2026 is a positive budget for our country and builds on the revised €275 billion national development plan announced in July. The Government is focused on investing in infrastructure, such as housing, schools, healthcare facilities, water, energy, public transport and our roads network, that is critical to our economy and essential to providing for our growing population. It connects communities, powers economies and ensures access to essential services. The allocations for infrastructure in budget 2026 will ensure that every corner of Ireland benefits from modern and efficient public assets.

This infrastructure is also essential to our efforts to tackle issues around housing delivery. Having a place to call our own is essential for well-being, providing shelter, stability, safety and certainty. Housing is one of the most challenging issues in our society. So many people, couples and families are struggling to find secure and affordable homes. The Government has prioritised housing delivery in this budget in order to provide more homes for our people.

Naturally, more housing requires more water, energy and public transport, as well as education and health facilities. In addition to supporting infrastructure, the budget supports the delivery of thousands of new build social homes and the second-hand acquisition programme. A new housing activation infrastructure fund will support the recently announced housing activation office. This significant investment in housing will benefit people, couples, families and young people for generations to come. We are also investing in sustainability. Retrofitting homes, supporting energy upgrades, enhancing public transport and investing in our greenways are all part of our commitment to tackling climate change and securing our shared future.

Budget 2026 has been delivered against a backdrop of trade and geopolitical uncertainty, but our economy continues to grow and has shown remarkable resilience despite these challenges. Investment in digitalisation will help us to upskill our young people with the skills they will need in the workforce of not just today but tomorrow, supporting a strong digital economy. This budget has been developed to strengthen our economic resilience, build an adaptable enterprise sector and support local businesses which, along with the agrifood sector, are the cornerstone and lifeblood of communities across the country.

The pandemic brought home to many of us the place that artists, writers and athletes play in society and our hearts. Imagine going through that time without books, the media or music. Sport is also a key part of our incredible heritage and culture. Watching our athletes punch above their weight and deliver outstanding performances on a global stage is something we are all so proud to see. Allocations made in the area of culture, heritage and sport will continue to support the development of cultural and sporting initiatives and ensure we can continue to invest in our culture and heritage and in the artists, writers and athletes who inspire us and the tourism and cultural activities and initiatives that showcase Ireland to the world. I was delighted the basic income for the arts scheme has been so successful, as I am sure it will continue to be going forward.

As well as our culture and heritage, we can be very proud of Ireland's reputation as a peaceful, fair and welcoming country. Reflecting on our role in Europe and, indeed, our position globally, I am endlessly grateful to the men and women of our Defence Forces who work to safeguard Ireland's security, peacefulness and stability. Our allocation to the Defence Forces demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensure that Ireland remains a safe and secure place to call home. Allocations to justice will support the recruitment of additional staff in our Prison Service, as well as trainee gardaí who work tirelessly to build stronger and safer communities across Ireland.

This budget sets out an inclusive and compelling vision of a thriving country where enterprise can flourish and people can feel valued. Its implementation will make an impact on the lives of all of those who are proud to call our nation home. It provides for long-term investment in Ireland's infrastructure and public services, building foundations for a strong shared future.It is important in these divisive times that we purposefully work collaboratively to create a fairer and better shared future for ourselves, our children and generations to come, not just investing in today but planning for the Ireland of tomorrow. With that in mind, I conclude my address and look forward to engaging with Senators.