Jack Chambers has revealed the key groups being targeted as part of upcoming measures set to be introduced in the budget.
Budget 2027 is not set to be revealed until October, though ministers are currently finalising the measures they want implemented.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said ‘low middle-income’ earners were the main group being focused on.
He added that cost-of-living concerns, as well as childcare costs, were among the top priorities for the government.
Speaking to Claire Byrne on Newstalk, the Fianna Fáil TD said affordability of childcare was a ‘real priority’ for the government.
‘It’s something that I think gives a hard-working family something back in a budgetary context,’ he explained, ‘That’s tangible.
‘I think we will have the space in 2027 to make a move on childcare that people will see the difference on Budget Day.’
The Minister added that the final measures have ‘yet to be discussed.’
It comes amid speculation that the price of cigarettes will go up again, while alcohol is expected to remain the same.
A box of 20 cigarettes currently retails at €19.50, and is thought to be going up to €20.
It comes not long after the Government’s Summer Economic Statement was released, which revealed additional resources of €8.5billion for the forthcoming budget.
Under the agreed framework, €7 billion is set aside for additional spending, while €1.5 billion has been earmarked for tax reductions.
The tax package represents a modest rise on last year’s planned allocation of €1.3 billion for tax cuts, alongside €8.1 billion in additional spending.
One Fine Gael source has indicated a strain between the Coalition partners ahead of the Budget.
They said: ‘The split between tax and spending will have to be fundamentally negotiated. Even with Harris increasing the tax share to €1.5 billion, Jack [Chambers] is still getting billions more in current spending.’
Furthermore, a Fine Gael minister added that it was the ‘Harris project’ and was the Tánaiste’s one shot at defining his legacy.
