6 October 2026
The Government of Ireland has published 'Your Guide to Budget 2027'.
Core weekly social welfare payments rise by €10, which the guide says will benefit 1.6 million people.
A new €500 Cost of Disability payment will support some 238,000 people in receipt of long-term disability payments.
Maximum childcare fees will fall from €735 to €550 per month.
The entry point for the higher rate of income tax rises by €2,500 and the main tax credits by €125.
The standard rate of Capital Gains Tax falls from 33% to 31%.
€3 billion will support social housing delivery in 2027, including funding for 11,250 new social homes.
Weekly welfare increase:
€10
People benefiting:
1.6 million
New Cost of Disability payment:
€500
Childcare fee ceiling:
€735 to €550 a month
Capital Gains Tax:
33% to 31%
Social housing:
€3 billion, 11,250 homes
Why it matters for exams: A European budget is a ready question on Ireland's currency, its parliament and its capital.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
8 October 2026
The Central Statistics Office has published its Consumer Price Index September 2026 release for Ireland.
Prices rose by 4.1% on the CPI measure over the twelve months.
The Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices rose by 3.8% over the same twelve months.
Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose 9.5%, on higher prices for home heating oil, electricity, rents and mortgage interest repayments.
Education Services rose 8.9%, reflecting higher third-level education costs.
Transport rose 7.5%, driven by increased costs for diesel and petrol and higher airfares.
CPI inflation:
4.1%
HICP inflation:
3.8%
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels:
+9.5%
Education services:
+8.9%
Transport:
+7.5%
Why it matters for exams: Price indices and the agencies that compile them are standard exam material.
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22 October 2026
The Central Bank of Ireland has taken enforcement action against Coinbase Ireland Limited.
The firm breached the safeguarding and outsourcing requirements of the Electronic Money Regulations 2011.
The breaches ran from 1 November 2020 to 19 August 2025.
The fine is €3,252,618, after a 30% settlement discount from €4,646,597.
The High Court must confirm the sanction before it takes effect.
Karen O'Leary, Director of Enforcement at the Central Bank of Ireland, said payment and e-money firms have a fundamental obligation to fully safeguard customers' funds.
Fine imposed:
€3,252,618
Fine before settlement discount:
€4,646,597
Settlement discount:
30%
Regulations breached:
Electronic Money Regulations 2011
Why it matters for exams: The regulator, the law it used and the court that confirms its sanctions are all durable facts.
UPSCBank
20 October 2026
The Central Bank of Ireland has published its annual private motor insurance report, drawn from the National Claims Information Database.
During 2025 the average private motor insurance premium increased by 4% to an average of €655.
The Central Bank said the introduction of personal injury guidelines has shifted the injury claims landscape.
Seána Cunningham, the Central Bank's Director of Insurance, credited the positive impact of the personal injury guidelines for falling injury claim numbers and lower average compensation.
The National Claims Information Database is operated and published by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Average premium:
€655
Change in premium:
+4%
Data source:
National Claims Information Database
Why it matters for exams: An abbreviation and the body that publishes the report are exactly what an examiner picks out.
UPSCBank
21 October 2026
Dáil Éireann has voted by 79 votes to 71 to abolish Ireland's Triple Lock.
The Triple Lock required a Government decision, Dáil approval and a United Nations mandate before Irish troops could be deployed abroad.
Under the existing rule the three tests apply before more than 12 Irish troops are deployed abroad.
Because the Government normally holds a Dáil majority, the United Nations test is the one the change removes.
Defence minister Helen McEntee brought the legislation forward.
The legislation will now be debated by the Oireachtas defence committee.
Dáil vote:
79 to 71
Troop threshold under the Triple Lock:
More than 12 troops
The three tests:
Government decision, Dáil approval, UN mandate
Next stage:
Oireachtas defence committee
Why it matters for exams: Ireland's Triple Lock is the standard question on its military neutrality and on the UN's role in peacekeeping.
Kerala PSCUPSC
25 October 2026
The Central Statistics Office is preparing Census 2027 for Ireland.
The census is described as a count, and account, of everybody who usually lives in Ireland.
It counts people by their usual residence, not by where they happen to be on one night.
The census is organised by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
It is compulsory under the Statistics Act 1993, through the Statistics (Census of Population) Order.
The census is timed for April or May 2027, and the Government approved the date in November 2025.
Everyone who usually lives in Ireland must be included.
Organising body:
Central Statistics Office (CSO)
Legal basis:
Statistics Act 1993
Timing:
April/May 2027
Basis of count:
Usual residence
Why it matters for exams: Which body takes a country's census, and under which Act, is a repeated exam question.
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Background
Catherine Connolly is the 10th President of Ireland.
She became the tenth President of Ireland on 11th November 2025.
The President's official residence is Áras an Uachtaráin, and a flag flying over it means the President is at home.
Under Article 12 of the Constitution of Ireland the President holds office for seven years from the date of entering office.
The same Article allows a President to be re-elected once.
The President signs Bills into law; once signed a Bill becomes an Act and is added to the Statute Book.
Michael D. Higgins was the ninth President, inaugurated on 11 November 2011.
President of Ireland:
Catherine Connolly, the 10th President
Took office:
11 November 2025
Official residence:
Áras an Uachtaráin
Term of office:
Seven years, re-eligible once
Why it matters for exams: Head of state, term, residence and the power to sign Bills are the four things asked about any presidency.
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Background
Ireland's capital is Dublin and it has been a member of the European Union since 1 January 1973.
Its currency is the euro (€) and it has been a euro area member since 1 January 1999.
Ireland's official EU languages are Irish and English.
There are 14 representatives from Ireland in the European Parliament.
Ireland has negotiated an opt-out from the Schengen area.
Its area is given as 69 947 km2 and its population as 5 439 898 on 2025 Eurostat figures.
Capital:
Dublin
EU member since:
1 January 1973
Currency:
euro (€), euro area since 1 January 1999
Official EU languages:
Irish, English
Seats in the European Parliament:
14
Area:
69 947 km2
Population:
5 439 898
Why it matters for exams: Capital, currency, languages, EU seats and the Schengen opt-out are the five facts asked about Ireland.
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Background
Micheál Martin is the Taoiseach, the head of government of Ireland.
He was born in Turners Cross, Cork.
His official biography is published by the Department of the Taoiseach.
Ireland's head of state is separate: the President of Ireland, an office held by Catherine Connolly.
Budget 2027 was published by the Government of Ireland, which the Taoiseach leads.
The Taoiseach leads the Government in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas.
Head of government:
Taoiseach
Taoiseach:
Micheál Martin
Born in:
Turners Cross, Cork
Head of state:
President of Ireland
Department:
Department of the Taoiseach
Why it matters for exams: The distinction between head of state and head of government in Ireland is a classic polity question.
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