The recently released Summer Economic Statement set the boundaries for the upcoming Irish Budget in October, with the Government announcing a planned budget day package of €8.3bn (3% of GNI*). The majority of this is for spending measures (€6.9bn) with the remainder (€1.4bn) expected to fund income tax cuts. While new spending measures are expected in October, the majority (€5.1bn) are already pre-announced or “stand-still” measures, including funding for the public sector pay agreement, and €1.5bn to meet the large deficit already built up in the health service in 2024, followed by an additional €1.2bn in 2025.