The Government must deliver a Budget for workers or risk industrial unrest, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has warned ahead of today’s National Economic Dialogue.
ICTU, which represents over 800,000 workers across Ireland, said that following a succession of costly tax cuts for employers and industries in recent years, PAYE workers must now see meaningful reductions in the cost of living alongside investment in public services.
Speaking ahead of the National Economic Dialogue at Dublin Castle, General Secretary Owen Reidy said:
Over the last few years, time and again we have seen the Government give in to employer demands at the expense of ordinary workers. Budget 2027 must mark a change in that.
Last year, we had the appalling sight of a €750m tax cut handed to the hospitality industry. Earlier this year, €500m was handed to the haulage sector. Neither measure will do anything substantial for the 2.4 million PAYE workers in this country who are facing a cost-of-living crisis.
Budget 2027 is a defining test for this Government. They must stop squandering the corporation tax windfall on bailouts for big business, and deliver a package of measures that actually supports workers, alongside serious and sustained investment in our public services and infrastructure.
Investment schemes and tax cuts that will give the most for the most well-off are not serious attempts to address cost of living. We are calling for double indexation of the tax bands to ensure consistency and fairness; reductions in the cost of public transport and childcare; and movement on pay-related parent’s benefit.
Workers across Ireland will be watching this Budget closely. They have been patient through years of rising costs, and they are looking to this Government to show that it understands the pressure they are under. Budget 2027 is an opportunity to do that. We urge the Government to take it."
