Focus Ireland says Budget 2026 has failed the record number of 16,353 people homeless as no mention of homelessness for second year in a row

Focus Ireland said that Budget 2026 has failed to deliver for the record number of over 16,350 people now homeless as the Government didn’t take any decisive action on housing to help the most vulnerable in society.

The charity said it is incredible – given the scale of the human crisis – that there was no mention of homelessness for the second year in a row.  There has been a massive 25% rise in homelessness since it was last mentioned in a Budget speech in October 2023*.

Focus Ireland Director of Advocacy Mike Allen said: “This Budget included a lot of mentions about “targeting the most vulnerable” but when it comes to housing there was no targeting towards providing more low-cost or affordable housing for people who are struggling every day.” He added: “With the new Housing and Homelessness plan expected to launch in the coming weeks, the absence of any reference to measures tackling Ireland’s record levels of homelessness raises serious concerns about the Government’s commitment to addressing one of the nation’s most pressing challenges.”

Focus Ireland said that the Budget, which was announced as making decisive measures to tackle child poverty, failed to acknowledge the plight of over 5,000 children currently experiencing homelessness – the most extreme form of poverty in Ireland today.

Mr. Allen said: “While sheep welfare received specific Budget attention, the welfare of thousands of children whose childhoods are being stolen day by day robbed by homelessness was totally absent from the Budget speeches.” Focus Ireland welcomed the Budget child poverty package but regrets the targeting did not extend to the particular needs of the over 5,000 children homeless.

Focus Ireland, along with a wide range of organisations with expertise on child poverty, had called for investment in Child Support Workers who will help reduce the trauma experienced by children who are homeless, many for very long periods. Just as there was no mention of these over 5,000 homeless children, there was no mention of services to meet their needs.

Mr. Allen said: “While the Ministers emphasised the importance of ‘targeting’ our resources, no such targeting was visible in the housing policies that were announced. All the announcements appear to be developer led which may result in some increase in housing supply but will not serve to boost affordable homes or homes which can be accessed by the most excluded.”

Focus Ireland did recognise the significant increase in funding to the Dept of Housing, from just under €8bn last year to €11.3bn in 2026 and said the increase in allocation for new build social homes and second-hand acquisitions is positive. However, the detail of how this will be spent remains to be seen.  The charity also welcomed the extension of Fuel Allowance eligibility to all households in receipt of the Working Family Payment.

ENDS 

Editors Notes: (From 13,179 Oct 2023 to 16,353 Aug 2025) Focus Ireland noted that the Minister gave no policy objectives for dropping the Derelict site levy and replacement by a Derelict Property Tax. One of the major criticisms of the DSL has been the very slow rate of introduction and the leeway given to owners of derelict site to avoid or delay their responsibilities. There seems to be a real risk that dropping the DSL just when it begins to have impact will result in further delays.  Greater clarity is needed on what advantages will come from the new approach.

Focus Ireland added that the Budget’s announcement of corporation tax relief for companies providing ‘cost rental housing’ is puzzling. True cost rental means rents cover only building and maintenance costs, with no profit. This move indicates either a misunderstanding of housing policy or a continued preference for profit-driven, developer-led models.