Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed
INOU warns against sowing division in its 2026 Pre-Budget Submission
It is important that the Government keeps sight of its mission for an equal Ireland where everyone can thrive. Announcing the release of its 2026 Pre-Budget Submission “Inclusive Employment, Sustainable Communities” today, the INOU calls for a re-engagement with the social objectives of Government and ensuring sustainable development is a key driver for Budget 2026.
- The unemployed are one of the groups with increases in poverty and deprivation with the removal of cost-of-living measures; 25,000 are already in consistent poverty.
- Since 2020, the MESL basket of goods has increased by 16.8%, while energy costs alone have risen by 64.5%, yet core welfare rates have failed to keep pace.
- The INOU calls for a €16 increase to all core social welfare rates, including for working age payments, to prevent further backsliding and erosion of already low incomes.
- Increasing numbers of people, including younger people, are losing confidence in job searching; graduate recruitment is slowing, and unemployed people have raised concerns that employers are not responding to their job applications.
- Calls for improved conditions in the public employment service, in adult education and skills provision, and investment in community organisations are crucial to supporting people to reach their potential.
Speaking on the submission, Rebecca Gorman, Head of Policy and Media, says “our members are saying loudly and clearly that people in unemployment are facing tough challenges in the face of increasing costs of living. People in long-term unemployment are not there by choice and are valued members of our community facing a really tough labour market”.
Geopolitical challenges are likely to bring turbulence to the labour market; now is the time to consolidate and develop existing supports for people who will likely face unemployment in the coming months. This development should include investment in our community organisations, in adult and community education and in effective employment programmes.
“The stigma of unemployment should not be encouraged by our public representatives; we recommend instead investing in measures to support people distanced from the labour market and working towards the eradication of poverty in an Irish society that is determined to leave no one behind”.
You can read the 2026 Prebudget Submission here.