Urgent: Budget 2026 Could Cut Dental Costs and Boost Childcare

URGENT UPDATE: The Irish government is already deliberating on significant changes for Budget 2026, and households could soon see crucial savings. Just announced, the Irish Dental Association is advocating for a groundbreaking tax relief scheme that could make dental care more affordable for all citizens starting in October.

The association’s pre-Budget submission proposes introducing tax relief at a standard rate of 20% for fillings, extractions, and dentures, easing the financial burden on patients. Currently, non-routine dental treatments receive tax relief at the standard rate, but the association insists these should shift to the marginal rate of 40%. This change aims to address the alarming decline in state spending on dental care, which has plummeted by around €800 million from 2009 to 2023 due to cutbacks.

“Under the current system, there is a widening gap between those who can afford to access dentistry by private means and those who are left at the mercy of a public system which is underfunded and not fit for purpose,” the association stated, according to the Irish Independent. They highlighted that there are currently 800 fewer dentists on the Dental Treatment Services Scheme compared to 2012, despite a 15% population growth in Ireland.

As families brace for possible financial relief, the government is also exploring enhanced childcare benefits. Children’s Minister Norma Foley is considering a proposal to extend free pre-school attendance by an additional hour per day, potentially saving parents up to €1,900 annually. This change could significantly impact families reliant on the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, which currently offers three hours of free pre-school each day.

If approved, the ECCE program would expand to provide an extra hour, five days a week, in the second year of pre-school. “This measure would benefit children’s learning and help reduce the cost of childcare for working parents,” an official source indicated. In Dublin, this extension could translate to a financial relief of at least €50 per week for parents.

The government aims to gradually reduce childcare costs to €200 per child per month during its tenure, marking a significant commitment to easing the financial pressures on families.

As discussions on Budget 2026 heat up, these proposed changes could have far-reaching effects on both dental care and childcare for countless Irish families. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story that could reshape household expenses across the nation.