Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins PhotosMinisters should be conscious that taxpayers‘ money is finite and “not a solution for every problem”, the Department of Finance has warned. Officials maintained that public spending had increased by 75 per cent (about 40 per cent after adjustment for inflation) since before the pandemic. This implies an underlying deficit of over €13 billion next year. Another part of the problem is the ‘monetise every problem’ approach – rather than address the underlying structural problem, line Departments and Ministers need a renewed consciousness that taxpayer’s money is funding spending. “Public spending has increased from €67 billion from just before the pandemic to €118 billion for next year – a 75 per cent increase in just seven years.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2026 20:56 UTC