The news that Ireland’s corporation tax receipts have surged by 17% to just under €33 billion marks another extraordinary moment for the Exchequer. Driven largely by continued strong performance in the multinational pharma and tech sectors, the scale of this revenue confirms that Ireland remains a global outlier in terms of corporate tax intake. While the Government has repeatedly warned about over-reliance on volatile receipts, the reality is stark: the State is once again sitting on a massive surplus at a time when ordinary households are under intense financial pressure.
Energy costs remain elevated despite recent easing in wholesale prices. For many families, particularly those on low and middle incomes, utility bills continue to consume a disproportionate share of monthly income. Against this backdrop, the case for state-funded energy credits is overwhelming. These should not be viewed as temporary emergency measures but as a strategic use of excess revenues to protect living standards and maintain domestic demand. When the State can collect €33 billion in corporation tax, there is no credible argument for leaving households exposed to energy insecurity.
Even more compelling is the need to address the long-standing failure to properly support family carers. Ireland’s care system depends heavily on unpaid and under-paid carers who provide round-the-clock support to children with disabilities, adults with complex needs, and elderly family members. Despite saving the State billions annually, carers remain financially vulnerable, often excluded from full participation in the workforce and left reliant on inadequate allowances.
A basic wage for carers is no longer a radical proposal—it is a logical and just response to economic reality. With a surplus of this scale, the State has the capacity to recognise care as essential labour rather than invisible work. A guaranteed basic income for carers would reduce poverty, improve wellbeing, and provide stability for families who currently live in constant financial uncertainty.
The Exchequer’s strength also exposes a deeper policy choice. Surpluses can either be parked, deferred, or framed solely as risks—or they can be deployed to correct structural injustices. Funding energy credits and a basic carers’ wage would not be reckless spending; it would be targeted social investment, directly improving resilience across society.
As Finance Minister Simon Harris and the Government plan for future volatility, they must also confront the present reality. This unprecedented windfall offers a rare opportunity to align economic success with social responsibility. The question is no longer whether the State can afford to act—but whether it is willing to.
