A government minister says reducing the VAT rate for food and catering businesses in Budget 2026 will be good for tourism counties like Kerry.
The return of the nine per cent VAT rate to these sectors, from the current 13.5 per cent, will come into effect from 1 July next year.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and Kerry Fianna Fáil TD, Norma Foley, says the VAT reduction will save jobs:
Meanwhile, Kerry's only opposition TD, Pa Daly, claims Minister Foley has overstated the funding for Tralee's new courthouse.
Deputy Daly says much of the claims about the budget are 'a cod', adding the courthouse money is for pre-planning.
He also lashed out at brothers, independent deputies Danny and Michael Healy Rae, claiming they introduced a motion in 2022 to scrap the carbon tax.
The Sinn Féin TD called on the Healy Raes to vote against this budget.
Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae says Budget 2026 includes funding for the Cork Kerry Economic Corridor, also known as the Killarney bypass.
The junior minister at the Department of Agriculture claims that the government has included a lot for agriculture:
