Opposition parties unveil high-spending alternative budgets targeting households

The three main opposition parties have each published a 2027 budget that rejects lower-spending rhetoric, instead promising extensive household support and housing construction. Sinn Féin’s plan totals €13.4 billion, featuring a €500 shopping voucher for one million families, expanded child benefits and a ban on carbon-tax hikes, financed by higher taxes on the wealthy and a bank levy. The Social Democrats propose €400 energy credits for low-income households, doubled solar-panel grants and a new €1.4 billion super-wealth tax.

Labour’s blueprint includes a €400 energy credit delivered as a tax credit, a €500 million plug-in solar purchase and a transformation of the Land Development Agency into a state builder. All three seek to raise welfare rates by €15 a week and fund their measures through higher income taxes, windfall taxes on energy companies and increased levies on banks. These proposals are expected to spark intense budget battles in the Dáil next week.