Consumer prices in Ireland rose 4.0% in the 12 months to October 2026, up from 3.8% in September, according to the CSO's flash estimate published on 3 November, with energy prices up 18.3% over the year. With Budget 2027 offering no universal energy credit and Black Friday falling on 27 November, households are going into the Christmas run-up with less room than last year.

Inflation: energy is doing the damage

The CSO's flash Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices shows prices rose 0.5% in October alone. Energy was up 4.5% in the month and 18.3% over the year, while food excluding alcohol and tobacco was up only 0.1% on the year. The Eurozone rate for the same period was 3.8%, so Ireland is now running slightly ahead of the euro area.

The Credit Union consumer sentiment index for September stood at 61.1, well below its 30-year average of 83.0, according to the Irish Examiner on 15 October. In the same survey, 75% of people said the cost of everyday living is worse than 30 years ago and 54% said their ability to save had deteriorated.

Budget 2027: €10 on welfare, no energy credit

RTÉ's Budget summary puts the overall package at €8.65 billion, with weekly social welfare rates rising by €10 from January 2027 for about 1.6 million people, and the Child Support Payment up €6 to €64 a week for under-12s and €84 for over-12s. The Fuel Allowance rises by €5 to €43 a week and the income limit for a single person over 66 goes from €534 to €641 a week.

There is no universal electricity credit this winter. The Taoiseach said on 7 September that "energy credits for everybody – I can't see the capacity being there to do that", and none was included on Budget day, as Solar Info's summary of the Budget coverage confirms. The carbon tax on kerosene and natural gas was cut to €48.50 a tonne instead, which the Government estimates is worth about €86 on a 1,000-litre fill of heating oil, according to the same summary.

Christmas bonus due in early December

The Irish Times reports that the Christmas bonus, a double welfare payment, will go to about 1.4 million long-term recipients in early December. A new €500 annual cost-of-disability payment for about 240,000 adults on long-term disability payments is expected in the first quarter of 2027, and the minimum wage rises 79c to €14.94 an hour on 1 January.

Black Friday is 27 November

Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November this year, four weeks before Christmas, with Cyber Monday on 30 November. No 2026 Irish spending survey had been published by 4 November, so there is no reliable figure yet for how much people plan to spend. The practical point for households is that many gyms, trainers, salons and experience providers run offers that weekend, and a voucher for a service is a gift that does not need to be posted.

Dogs Trust: 2,000 surrender requests and a Christmas appeal

Dogs Trust Ireland launched its STAY Christmas appeal on 2 November, reporting more than 2,000 requests from people looking to surrender their dogs so far in 2026 and more than 200 dogs expected to spend Christmas in its care, according to Dublin People. Paulina Padlo, Communications Manager at Dogs Trust Ireland, said "abandonment is never the answer".

The charity's advice is to seek help early rather than give a dog up: behaviour support, dog-walking or pet-sitting services, or advice from a vet or welfare organisation. That matters for anyone whose working hours or housing have changed, and for families heading away over Christmas who need someone to mind a pet.

Strike day on 12 November

A 24-hour public sector strike is planned for Thursday 12 November, RTÉ reports, after unions rejected a Government offer worth 7.75% over two and a half years. Talks with an independent group chaired by WRC Chair Kevin Foley continued on 4 November. Teachers, nurses and doctors took part in the 14 October strike, so parents should plan for a possible school closure and have childcare lined up for that day until the position is confirmed.

What it means for you

• Do a December budget now: list the fixed bills (energy, rent or mortgage, crèche) against what is coming in, including the Christmas bonus if you qualify.
• Check your Fuel Allowance eligibility under the new €641 a week income limit for single people over 66, and apply if you were previously just over the old €534 limit.
• Use Black Friday (27 November) for services you will actually use in January, such as a personal training block, a sports massage course or a gym membership, rather than things you would not otherwise buy.
• If a dog or cat is becoming hard to manage, book a behaviourist, a dog walker or a pet-sitter for the Christmas week before asking a shelter to take the animal.
• Arrange childcare or a childminder for 12 November in case schools close.
• You can find personal trainers, coaches, pet-sitters, dog walkers and childminders near you on Locufy.

For providers: personal trainers, nutrition and life coaches should put a Black Friday price on a fixed January block (for example six or ten sessions) and say clearly what it covers; gift vouchers sell best with an expiry date in March or later. Dog walkers, pet-sitters and behaviourists should publish Christmas-week availability and prices now, because Dogs Trust is actively pointing struggling owners towards those services. Childminders and tutors should tell clients their plans for the 12 November strike day.

Key dates

• 12 November 2026: 24-hour public sector strike planned
• 27 November 2026: Black Friday; 30 November Cyber Monday
• Early December 2026: Christmas bonus double welfare payment due
• 1 January 2027: €10 welfare increase, minimum wage €14.94, Child Support Payment increase
• Q1 2027: first €500 cost-of-disability payment expected

Sources

• CSO — Flash estimate for the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, October 2026
• Irish Examiner — Ireland's 'boom and bust' cycle fuels consumer sentiment negativity
• RTÉ — At a glance: key points from Budget 2027
• Irish Times — When Budget changes kick in and how to claim them
• Irish Times — Budget 2027 unlikely to see return of energy credits, says Taoiseach
• Solar Info — No energy credit: the Budget 2027 energy measures
• Dublin People — Dogs Trust Ireland launches urgent Christmas appeal
• RTÉ — Public sector pay talks continue ahead of 12 November strike

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