Latest news with #budget2026
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Student fees: Minister gets barrage of complaints after suggesting €1,000 cut may not happen
More than 120 complaints were sent to Minister for Higher Education James Lawless after he signalled that cuts to third level fees seen in recent budgets may not happen this year. The Fianna Fáil politician suggested in a radio interview that a €1,000 cut to the €3,000 fee might not be repeated in Budget 2026 due to once-off cost of living measures being dropped due to to economic uncertainty. There was a public backlash after his remarks as well as division in the Coalition, with Fine Gael members angry about the controversy the issue generated for the Government. Records released by the Department of Further and Higher Education in response to a Freedom of Information request show some 125 complaints were sent on to Mr Lawless between June 29th and July 9th. READ MORE Of these, 35 were sent to Fine Gael politicians before they were forwarded to Mr Lawless. Thirty-three complaints were sent on to the Minister by the office of Tánaiste Simon Harris , a former minister for higher education. A further 23 complaints were sent on to Mr Lawless after they were received by Fianna Fáil politicians. During an interview on RTÉ radio on June 29th, Mr Lawless was asked about cuts in student fees. He replied: 'All of us in any walk of life play the hands we're dealt. If I don't have a cost of living package, I can't do those kind of measures that were done last year.' He pointed out other supports available and said he did 'absolutely intend to wind down the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government'. [ Third level fees row looks set to rumble on for a while Opens in new window ] More than 120 complaints were sent to Minister for Higher Education James Lawless following the comments. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/ The Irish Times Many of the parents and students who complained wrote directly to Mr Lawless. One parent asked for the fee to be kept at €2,000. 'I do strongly feel that we are the squeezed middle in society, that work hard, pay [our] contributions and get on with things. But we are far from financially secure.' A student working to fund their education wrote that they were 'quite outraged' and that a return to higher fees 'may mean that I will not be able to enter my third year'. Student nurses were among those who sent some co-ordinated complaints. Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) general secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha wrote that the 'mooted increase will have a detrimental impact on student nurses and midwives'. One of the complaints sent on to Mr Lawless by Mr Harris's office was from a parent with two children in third level education. 'Dear Mr Harris, I would like to tell you about my home tonight. My 21-year-old daughter started crying and apologised for the cost to us to send her to college,' they wrote. A complaint sent on to Mr Lawless from Taoiseach Micheál Martin's office was from a parent who said fee reductions of recent years had 'helped enormously to reduce the financial burden on our family'. Of the possible return to €3,000 fees, they said: 'I think Fianna Fáil has taken its eye off the ball.' A spokesman for Mr Lawless said the Minister was 'acutely aware of the financial pressures facing students and families' and he was 'currently reviewing pre-budget submissions'. He said Mr Lawless will enter budget negotiations 'seeking the strongest possible package of student supports, with a particular focus on those most in need, while also securing sustainable, permanent reforms rather than one-year interventions'. He also said Mr Lawless would be 'fighting hard for measures that reduce the cost of education'. The spokesman added that the Minister extended thanks to correspondents and he has offered to review 'individual cases to understand why they were not already availing of supports given that the current income threshold is at a historic high of €115,000. This means the majority of families in the State are now eligible for support.' A spokeswoman for the Taoiseach said: 'Government will be examining ways to support those in third level education in the upcoming budget. Matters related to the Budget will be negotiated over the coming weeks.'
Irish Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Focus in Budget 2026 has to be on transforming infrastructure, Martin says
The Government's focus in the next budget has to be on transforming infrastructure, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said as Sinn Féin insisted a cost-of-living package had to be included. Such a package has been ruled out in advance of Budget 2026 in October, including payments that have benefited the average worker by €1,000. In the Dáil Mr Martin said there would be supports in the budget but said the focus 'quite simply has to be on transforming our infrastructure'. Challenging the Government's budget stance, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Taoiseach was 'doubling down' on the removal of support payments 'for struggling households at a time when living costs are through the roof'. READ MORE Irish households are paying 30 per cent more than the EU average for electricity each year , almost €350 extra, recent Eurostat data shows. The ESRI said it was difficult to explain such a difference. The Government proposes to cancel the 'very help they desperately need' in energy credits as part of a cost-of-living package in the budget, Ms McDonald said. 'People are being fleeced now today, when they open their electricity or gas bill, when they get to the checkout with the weekly shop, when they go to fill the car, and when they go to buy basic toiletries like toothpaste or shampoo,' she said. Mr Martin acknowledged that prices are 'relatively elevated' following the peak of inflation and that Ireland has the third lowest rate of inflation in the EU. He said the Government had done a lot and 'more than any other European government' in terms of cushioning and trying to reduce the impact of cost-of-living increases on people. This included extending the VAT reduction to 9 per cent on electricity and gas, which will save households €70 for gas and €55 for electricity. Mr Martin said there will be a significant increase in the number of people eligible for the fuel allowance in September and that the carers support grant increased to €2,000 in January, benefiting 138,000 people. He said from June women can receive HRT free of charge. [ Why are food prices going up? Who is profiting and what can be done about it? Opens in new window ] He also pointed to the back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance, the free schoolbook scheme and the free hot meals scheme in primary schools. 'We have to be prudent,' he said. 'We have to be cautious and careful in terms of the resources that we have. And I know everybody wants us to spend billions, but that is not open to us.' He said 'we will be spending a lot. There won't be any austerity in itself but there has to be some degree of caution because the situation could change' he said, in reference to the threat of US president Donald Trump's 30 per cent tariff .
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Minister casts doubt over increase in rent tax credit ahead of budget
The Housing Minister has poured cold water over any plans to increase the rent tax credit in the upcoming budget, saying the country is living through 'uncertain terms'. James Browne said he will negotiate with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe but added that a lot of tough decisions will be made as part of Budget 2026. Advertisement The rent tax credit increased by €250 to €1,000 euros for private tenants earlier this year. The measure was first introduced as part of Budget 2023 and has gradually increased since then. Mr Browne said the rent tax credit was a 'huge support' for renters. 'I think all of us in Government are very conscious of that. We're conscious that rents are unfortunately continuing to increase,' he added. Advertisement 'That's why we're making decisions we're making now to increase the supply so we can get rents back down. 'It's the only way we're going to get rents down is by increasing that supply. 'But in terms of the budget, I think, as we do every year, we'll enter in negotiations with Minister Donohoe across Government. 'A lot of tough decisions have to be made. Advertisement 'We're in very uncertain terms, and I leave any discussion for any tax credit to the budget. 'I think the budgetary situation is far more uncertain than it was in the past. 'But I think the commitment of this Government to renters, in terms of the different tax credits that we've had to date, and in terms of the rent security now we're bringing in to change the legislation. 'Our commitment is there for renters.' Advertisement The minister also defended his plan to lower the cost of apartments by reducing their size. The Cabinet signed off on new guidelines for apartment building brought by Mr Browne on Tuesday. It includes a reduction in the minimum size of studio apartments from 37 square metres to 32 square metres. In an attempt to improve delivery costs of apartment schemes, the Government would also remove any restrictions on apartment mix. Advertisement Mr Browne, who said his proposals will reduce costs by between €50,000 and €100,000 per unit, also confirmed he will publish the research which shows this. He added: 'We know we have to make very real decisions here. 'We were very disappointed with the number of homes that were delivered last year. 'We did expect a higher number. I went through why that happened. 'I really analysed it, and when you look at it, it's actually a collapse in delivery of apartments in Dublin city. 'We need to get those apartments delivered, whether they're built to rent or whether they're built to sale as a key part of getting the homes delivered. 'We will publish that research. So we will make it available. 'The very fact that apartments are not being built at a scale that we need, it's actually collapsing in terms of delivery, we see apartments being built in other cities across Europe, international finance is going elsewhere, not to here. 'There's a massive affordability piece for people who want to rent or purchase, but for the developers, there's a viability piece. 'They are saying that if they build them at the current cost it would take to do so, nobody would be able to purchase them, and that's why they're not doing so. Ireland Minister told new apartment guidelines are 'insani... Read More 'We need to get them built, and that's why we're making these decisions. None of these decisions are easy. 'Having the highest specification of apartments that never leave the design table is of no benefit to the people living in a box room at home.' He made the comments as he turned the sod at James McSweeney House, a development by Cabhru and Dublin City Council which will see 35 units built for older people.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
NOAA releases 2026 fiscal year budget, looks to terminate or reduce over 50 programs/projects
ALABAMA (WHNT) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its 2026 fiscal year budget, which includes cuts and decreases for several key programs and projects. According to the report, NOAA is requesting a budget of $4,515,302,000. 'The NOAA FY 2026 request will make critical investments to better enable NOAA to address current and emerging needs of the Nation. Through this budget, NOAA will help unleash American energy through initiatives supporting the marine mining market, leverage innovation in the weather and space enterprises, and enable and promote economic growth. Additional details are provided in the ensuing exhibits,' NOAA's budget proposal says. Some programs that are to be terminated or decreased, according to the fiscal budget, are: Decreases The National Severe Storms Laboratory Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring Reduction Tornado Severe Storm Research / Phased Array Radar Reduction Science and Technology Integration Decrease Polar Weather Satellites National Centers for Environmental Information Decrease Product Development, Readiness and Application Decrease Terminations Terminate NOAA Community Project Funding/NOAA Special Projects Termination of NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Terminate Federal Support for National Estuarine Research Reserve System Habitat Conservation and Restoration Termination Termination of OAR's Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes Termination of OAR's Weather Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes The FY 2026 budget eliminates all funding for climate, weather, and ocean Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. It also does not fund Regional Climate Data and Information, ClimateCompetitive Research, the National Sea Grant College Program, Sea Grant Aquaculture Research, or the National Oceanographic Partnership Program. Of the remaining funded programs, the U.S. Weather Research Program, Tornado Severe Storm Research / Phased Array Radar, the Joint Technology Transfer Initiative, High Performance Computing Initiatives, and Research Supercomputing will be transitioned to the NWS and Ocean Exploration and Research, Integrated Ocean Acidification, and Sustained Ocean Observations and Monitoring will be transitioned to NOS. These adjustments will allow these research programs to carry out research that is more directly related to the NOAA mission. NOAA FY 2026 budget You can read the full NOAA 2026 Fiscal Year budget here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
House Republicans on Wednesday approved plans for a $435.3 billion budget for the Department of Veterans Affairs in fiscal 2026, putting the department in line for a significant funding boost despite objections from congressional Democrats. The 218-206 partisan vote, with just two Democrats voting for the measure and no Republicans opposing it, represents the first appropriations package approved for next fiscal year by either chamber of Congress, but does not necessarily mean a fast track ahead for the VA budget becoming law. Senate appropriators still must draft and pass their own funding plan for veterans programs and benefits support, a process that is expected to drag through the summer. And the VA budget plan is unlikely to pass as its own standalone measure, but instead is expected to be approved sometime this fall as part of an all-of-government spending package. But Republican lawmakers on Wednesday praised passage of the massive VA spending bill as an important step for the appropriations process and for ensuring veterans will get the services they need. VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year 'The bill continues robust investments in women's health, rural health, veteran homelessness and mental health,' said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee's veterans panel. 'The legislation maintains all funding for medical and prosthetic research, increases funding for VA infrastructure and supports Arlington National Cemetery. … Everyone should understand this bill cares for our veterans, supports our troops and their families, and keeps the promises we have made to our heroes.' The bulk of the increase in VA spending comes in mandatory health care and benefits costs. The appropriations bill includes $134 billion in discretionary funding, up about 4% but about $1 billion less than what the White House requested in its fiscal 2026 budget plan. But Democratic lawmakers objected despite the increases because of concerns about where and how the money will be spent. White House officials have yet to provide full details on their program needs for next fiscal year, and VA Secretary Doug Collins has proposed trimming 80,000 jobs from the VA workforce but has not yet revealed specifics. 'We need to remain united in fighting cuts and ensuring that veterans have everything they need,' said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., ahead of Wednesday's House vote. 'With all the issues raised, from the push towards privatization of the VA care, with the underfunding of infrastructure, I just cannot in good conscience support this bill.' Lawmakers did find bipartisan agreement on a pair of floor amendments designed to broaden mental health care options for veterans. One measure boosted research into psychedelic therapies in the VA medical system by $1 million, while another would prohibit VA from denying veterans permission to participate in state-approved medical marijuana therapies. Veterans Affairs leaders have seen regular budget increases annually for more than 20 years, even amid frequent congressional and White House efforts to reduce federal spending. In fiscal 2001, the VA budget — both mandatory and discretionary — totaled just $45 billion. In 2011, it was about $125 billion. In fiscal 2023, the total topped $300 billion for the first time. The House-passed plan for fiscal 2026 would now push that total over the $400 billion level, and cost more than the combined fiscal 2025 budgets of the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps. Wednesday's appropriations bill also includes $18 billion in military construction funding for troop housing and base installation projects. That total is an increase of about $480 million from last year, or about 3%.
