Citizens Information Board submit its Pre-Budget Submission 2026

The Citizens Information Board (CIB) submitted its Pre-Budget Submission 2026 to the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Finance on 16 July 2025. The submission drew on data and policy commentary from CIB-funded services.

During 2024, CIB-funded services helped thousands of people across Irish society access their rights and entitlements. Over 570,000 people sought assistance from Citizens Information Services (CIS), the Citizens Information Phone Service (CIPS), the Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS) and the National Advocacy Service for people with disabilities (NAS). In addition, the citizensinformation.ie website had over 33 million page views, with people accessing a broad range of information on topics from consumer rights to housing, from health services to welfare benefits.

Our frontline services have a unique level of engagement with the public - which provides CIB with wide-ranging data on the concerns that people bring into services. This anonymised client data offers a clear, rich and live picture of the issues people can face when trying to access public services.

We have used this evidence in our submission, which focuses particularly on low-income households. It highlights the impact of cost-of-living pressures, housing supply/affordability issues and difficulties obtaining some essential services and benefits.

You can find the CIB Pre-Budget Submission 2026 here: CIB Pre-Budget Submission 2026