'The €4.80 Budget' - Laois TD says Budget failed families and workers

Laois TD Brian Stanley criticised the Budget for overlooking many issues

Published 7th Oct 2026, 10:43 BST Laois TD Brian Stanley. Laois TD Brian Stanley criticised the Budget for overlooking many issues A Laois TD has slammed the Government’s 2027 Budget, saying that it has “failed to address the cost of living.”

Minister for Finance Simon Harris and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers unveiled the €8.65 billion budget package on Tuesday, October 6.

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Laois TD Brian Stanley said the budget measures “failed householders, it’s failed workers and it’s failed to address the cost of living.”

The Independent TD has criticised a wide range of issues which he believed the Government overlooked, such as electricity costs, childcare, housing and health.

He also condemned the Government’s decisions to move ahead with the 15% increase in public transport fees which will affect thousands of people in Laois who use buses and trains everyday.

Deputy Stanley said: “On electricity, we see no reduction there in terms of VAT and the sad part is that householders continue to take up the slack for the reduced rate that data centres pay.

“There's been no reduction in HVO fuel VAT, on that continues at 23% and a reduction in this would have benefited rural dwellers greatly.

“There’s been no energy credits for middle- or low-income households and particularly those who are under €75,000, as many of us have advocated for, and no provision for an improved solar grant scheme for these householders.”

He said that the reduction in childcare costs from €735 to €550 per month for children up until senior infants is welcome, but it is still too high for families.

'Carnage' Laois man takes on Portlaoise roundabouts for RTÉ One's Random Driving Test Deputy Stanley also noted that there was no increase in the income threshold for medical cards. The threshold still sits at €186 for a single person and for a couple with two children it sits at €342 per week, which he said is “scandalously low.” He added that all cancer patients should have a medical card and the fact that they don’t is “a national disgrace.”

He also said that although pensioners got a €10 increase per week, they really needed at least €15 due to the increase in cost of essential items.

When it comes to workers, Deputy Stanley said the tax threshold increase only amounts to €4.80 a week.

“For those workers under €44,000, while the tax threshold is increased, this is the first time in two years that this has happened and over a two-year period this simply means €4.80 per week is what they got. For those workers under €44,000, they got between €200 and €250 which is less than €5 a week.

“The entry point for income tax for the low-paid workers did not increase enough. Universal social charge was not abolished for those workers under €30,000 which could have been done. The minimum wage, while any increase is welcome it is not enough, it still falls €40per week short of the living wage of €16.00 per hour.”

In terms of housing, he said the Government failed to abolish stamp duty for first time buyers which would have helped. For renters, the renters tax credit change also amounts to less than €3 a week.

He went on to say that there are no signs of any rent controls despite the huge increase of 10% to 12% on rents in Laois each year.

The Laois TD added that the affordable to buy targets that the Government have are too low.

For farmers, Deputy Stanley welcomed some of the measures announced but criticised other issues which were neglected.

“I welcome the changes in the Farm Succession Scheme. In relation to abolishing the waiting period and VAT changes that’s a positive measure but nothing has happened to increase the quantity of organic farming. Nothing has happened in relation to increasing diversification in the tillage sector and that is hugely important for the continuation of sustainable farming.

“In relation to HVO fuel, the 23% VAT continues to apply, and this is one that the Government could have improved on to help farmers and to help rural Ireland. It would improve energy security, shorten the supply chain, reduce carbon emissions, and would also provide for a cash crop to be grown.”

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Stanley argued: “This budget simply didn't do it on housing, it didn’t do it for workers, and it didn't do it on the cost of living.”