Harris denies Government split over rate of dole increase in Budget 2026

James Cox

The Tánaiste has denied there are tensions in Government over budget welfare increases.

Simon Harris has suggested increasing some payments at different rates - instead of an across the board top up.

There have been suggestions the dole won't increase by as much as other payments, such as the State pension.

Simon Harris denied it's a bone of contention between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.

Speaking from New York, where he is in attendance at the UN General Assembly, Mr Harris said: "I'm not looking to get into a back-and-forth on 'what about this payment? What about that payment?'

"But I'm not entirely convinced that across the board universal increases is how you best advance policy. You try to look at different measures, and at a time of full employment... when we have lots of supports available for people who cannot work, it certainly merits further consideration because it allows us to target our resources."