Wexford TD Defends Budget With Key Investments for Wexford

In his response to the Budget 2026, Malcolm Byrne, TD for the North Wexford constituency, speaking on Morning Mix, emphasized both the positive measures aimed at supporting key sectors and the challenges that remain. Byrne highlighted several key budgetary provisions that he believes will benefit Wexford families and workers, as well as Ireland’s overall infrastructure. - Increased Staffing in Key Sectors : The government has committed to funding 1,042 additional teachers, 1,717 extra Special Needs Assistants (SNAs), and a net increase of 400 members in the Defence Forces. - Primary School Support : For primary schools across Wexford, Byrne praised the significant increase in capitation grants. The per-pupil grant will rise from €224 to €274, an additional €50, which he described as a “very welcome jump.” This increase will help cover the day-to-day running costs of schools, something Byrne has campaigned for extensively. - Agricultural Support : Byrne also pointed out an extra €50 million for the tillage sector, which has faced difficult times in recent years. In addition, €85 million will go towards tackling Bovine TB, a serious concern for Irish farmers. - Focus on Social Infrastructure : One of the most significant aspects of the budget, according to Byrne, is the €2.9 billion allocated for the delivery of new social homes. This will directly address Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis, a central issue in Wexford and across the country. However, the Deputy acknowledged criticism from groups such as Focus Ireland and the Road Haulage Association, who argue that the budget doesn’t do enough for those in urgent need. Housing, in particular, remains a sore point. While there are substantial allocations for new housing development and urban regeneration, there are concerns that these measures aren’t enough to alleviate the immediate pressure on the housing market. Byrne conceded that housing remains “the biggest challenge” but maintained that the budget includes “substantial measures” to address it. He pointed to the €1.2 billion for starter homes and the €300 million for the Urban Regeneration Development Fund. These initiatives, he argued, will help tackle the affordability crisis, especially for younger buyers and those in areas undergoing regeneration. Child and Family Supports A key focus of the budget, according to Byrne, is support for families, particularly those on lower incomes. The budget includes a €8 per week increase in child benefits for children under 12, and €16 for those over 12. Additionally, the working family payment threshold will increase by €60 per week, providing further relief to working families. Byrne also highlighted the extension of the back-to-school clothing and footwear payment to include two and three-year-olds, providing much-needed support for families with younger children. Disagreement with Critics While there were positive elements in the budget, Byrne was also quick to respond to critics like Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty and Social Democrats' Cian O'Callaghan, who voiced strong opposition to the government’s approach. Doherty argued that the budget abandons ordinary workers and families, focusing instead on the top earners, while O’Callaghan suggested that more could have been done to lift children out of poverty and to help families with rising costs. In response, Byrne rejected the claims that developers and landlords were receiving tax breaks, stating that the adjustments to property taxes were aimed at reducing costs for consumers, not benefiting large developers. He also defended the government’s decision to lower VAT for the hospitality sector, arguing that small businesses, including local restaurants, would benefit from this reduction, which he considered a lifeline for them. Listen back here: