Tánaiste Simon Harris has said he is “positively disposed” to increasing the renters’ tax credit in Budget 2027.
Speaking on the margins of the Fine Gael think-in on Friday, Harris said he was “hopeful” he could do something on the tax credit – which was not increased last year – in October’s budget.
“It’s something that’s very much being examined and looked upon positively,” he said.
He added: “Any finance minister has to make it all add up on the day, and there are limitations, obviously, in the size of a tax package, but I’m hopeful we can do something.”
Harris also indicated that the Government was moving towards reducing the cost of home heating oil in the budget. “It disproportionately impacts older people, often people on low incomes and people in rural Ireland. So, definitely, Government will want to see what we can do to assist in that space, and also how we can assist those most at risk of fuel poverty in terms of the fuel allowance.”
Earlier on Friday, he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that he was “particularly worried” about home heating oil.
He was more guarded in comments on potential changes to inheritance tax.
“It’s certainly something we will take a look at in the budget. I want to be very honest with people, the tax package in the budget is around €1.5 billion, probably slightly more when you take in a few revenue-raising measures we may be able to do
“The bulk of that tax package will be taken up by a personal income tax package, but I’ve consistently said I want this budget to be seen as one of four … The question is how much we can do in this budget. It’s quite possible we may be able to do something, but like I say this is budget one of four that are left,” he said.
In advance of US president Donald Trump’s arrival in the Republic on Saturday, Harris said there were “points of agreement and points of disagreement” between Dublin and Washington. “We’ve shown as the Government an ability to articulate those views in … interactions with the US administration. And this weekend will be no different … The links are real, the links are deep, the links are binding,” he said.
“And from my position as a finance Minister, the economic links are very consequential in both directions.
“We’ll take the opportunity of the President of the United States being in Ireland to showcase our country, which I think is important. But also, the Taoiseach will have an opportunity to have a substantive bilateral with the president. He’s already very clear that he intends to raise a number of global matters and I have no doubt he’ll do that.”
Harris was also asked about the potential listing of Israeli sovereign bonds by the Central Bank of Ireland. He replied that while his hands were effectively legally tied, as were those of the central bank, he had asked the European Commission to review the rules governing the matter.
“I’ve been petitioning the European Commission to carry out a full review of the prospectus regulation because the people of this country, including myself, have very strong views about the genocide that’s been carried out in Gaza,” he said.