148. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the income tax measures he is considering for budget 2027 to support middle-income workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39178/26]

Sentiment score: 0.14

Working families are under pressure. They feel like they are often chasing their tails and that there is not enough at the end of the month to show for all their hard work. It is what I have always described as the struggle to juggle. We have consistently supported working families over the years. The Tánaiste and others have said this budget will include income tax changes, which I welcome because those families deserve to get more back based on what they are putting in.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I welcome the principles of what the Tánaiste is setting out. I know he cannot get into the details. I can see the Government, in an extremely difficult geopolitical situation, is trying to future-proof our country with the infrastructure and the foundations it needs as a growing modern state, and to deliver on our promise to move away from cycles of boom and bust to something far more consistent, stable and sustainable, planning ahead with the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund. However, workers need to feel more of the benefits of that strategy now, especially considering what has happened in the last six months. A quick look at other countries in the EU will show we are pushing average workers into the higher tax band at one of the lowest entry points. This is having an impact on people's decision-making, livelihoods and home lives.

Sentiment score: 0.19

The Tánaiste is right that it is difficult to compare like for like and that we have to look at working families and their budgets in the round. He has consistently referenced childcare as an area where he wants to support working families. Every week, I speak, as I know the Tánaiste does, to families, women and services about the cost of childcare and about provision. Today, with Deputy Carrigy, I met with Longford Women's Link. I know the Tánaiste is completely committed to reducing childcare fees to €200 per month over the next four years but the wider reform I spoke of earlier is critical too. That means putting systems in place that last and that people have confidence in. State-led childcare is a major opportunity in the short and long term and should be allowed to evolve. The not-for-profit services that are due to provide it, at least in the short term as it evolves, need a system around them so they can scale up. That is achievable. Core funding requires reform but it is fixable as the State continues to play a greater role. I could go on but my point is this: these are not just problems to fix; they are opportunities for genuine reform and innovation.

Sentiment score: 0.30