COPE Galway has described Budget 2026 as a missed opportunity that fails to meet the scale of Ireland’s social challenges, particularly in addressing the worsening homelessness crisis.
“It is difficult to see how Government was unable to do more, given an overall €9.4 billion budget package, to tackle what must be considered one of the greatest challenges we face as a society,” said Dr Sally Anne Corcoran, Advocacy and Engagement Manager at COPE Galway.
Dr Corcoran pointed to record levels of homelessness and the devastating impact this has on people’s lives – particularly for the more than 5,000 children currently living in emergency accommodation such as B&Bs and hotels.
“The long-term effects of homelessness on children’s wellbeing, education and future opportunities are profound,” she said. “What makes this even more disheartening is the scale of the daily challenges faced by our professional teams and other agencies including our local authorities, to support people experiencing homelessness. As we head into the winter months, with limited resources, it can sometimes feel hopeless.”
COPE Galway welcomed the €11.5 million in additional funding for domestic and gender-based violence initiatives announced in the budget. “This is a positive step, particularly given the epidemic levels of violence against women in Ireland,” said Dr Corcoran.
“However, further funding is essential to fully implement the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, provide legal aid and ensure access to refuge and move-on, long-term housing nationwide.”
“Too many left behind” “People in our community who are living through their most vulnerable times have been forgotten,” Dr Corcoran concluded. “Budget 2026 is a missed opportunity that leaves too many behind.”
