Budget 2027: Securing Ireland’s Competitive Position

On 18th of September 2026, Professor Alan Barrett, Chair of the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC), announced the publication of a new NCPC Bulletin – Budget 2027: Securing Ireland’s Competitive Position. The paper calls on Government to safeguard Ireland’s economic resilience by exercising fiscal discipline while directing available resources towards productivity-enhancing investment.

Professor Barrett said:

“Ireland enters Budget 2027 from a position of economic strength, but the global environment is increasingly uncertain. Fiscal discipline is essential to protect our resilience and to ensure that resources remain available for investments that will strengthen competitiveness over the long term, particularly in energy, water and transport infrastructure.”

The paper draws on the findings of Ireland’s Competitiveness Challenge 2026 and discussions at the third annual Competitiveness Summit, chaired by the Taoiseach and attended by the Tánaiste, Ministers, enterprise agencies and business representatives as part of preparations for Budget 2027. It highlights the combined impact of geopolitical fragmentation, trade tensions, technological disruption and energy insecurity, alongside persistent domestic pressures such as infrastructure deficits and the high cost of doing business.

The Council welcomes recent Government initiatives, including the Action Plan on Competitiveness and Productivity and the work of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum. It stresses, however, that Budget 2027 should accelerate structural action to improve energy security, reduce business costs, enhance SME access to finance, advance public service reform and digitalisation, and strengthen investment in workforce skills.

Professor Barrett added:

“Short-term supports can provide relief when firms and households face sudden cost pressures, but they cannot substitute for the structural reforms Ireland needs. Budget 2027 is an opportunity to accelerate infrastructure delivery, improve the operating environment for SMEs and harness digital technologies and AI to deliver more productive and efficient public services.”

The Council is calling for a coordinated approach that balances immediate pressures with fiscal sustainability and long-term investment. Addressing these priorities will be critical to raising productivity, strengthening resilience and securing Ireland’s competitive position in the years ahead.