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Workers can expect “a few hundred euro” after income tax changes in the Budget, the Public Expenditure Minister has said, describing the scope for such measures as “modest”.

A month out from the October 6 Budget, Jack Chambers said there was a need to be “honest” about what is possible for workers.

The Summer Economic Statement outlined that there would be a tax package of 1.5 billion euro in new measures, and closer to two billion euro when cuts to the hospitality VAT rate are considered.

He told reporters at the Fianna Fáil think-in in Tullamore, Co Offaly: “It’ll be a modest income tax package when it amounts to 1.5 billion euro in total, and that’s, I think, a signal to workers that over the next series of budgets, we want to alleviate the tax burden, but to do so in a in a progressive and sustainable way.

“I’m very clear that it is modest, and the adjustments will amount to you know a few hundred euro, depending on your your income, which I know, on an annualised basis, will be perceived as modest amongst the public.

“But most people working in the economy want to ensure that they have a job in five years’ time, want to ensure that they have improved living environment with better infrastructure, and want to ensure that the next generation have affordable housing.

“And our wider economic management is not just grounded in decisions around income tax; it’s how we actually deliver better in terms of public services and also building Ireland’s future.”

The Fianna Fáil deputy leader said it may “take a series of budgets for people to see the real improvement in terms of keeping more of their take-home pay”, adding: “But that’s the honest position that I’m giving in the context of the budget.”

He said: “The party is very cognisant of the geopolitical situation globally and the need to be prudent, responsible, and sustainable in how we manage the economy.”

In a reference to Fine Gael leader and Finance Minister Simon Harris’s comments about people who get up early in the morning, he continued: “But also to help workers who get up early, but also who get up and and work nights too.

“It’s about all workers across the economy and ensuring that we support them in the various income tax changes that we make.”