"We need to turn Irish savers into investors"
What is the SIU?
The Savings and Investments Union (SIU) is a European initiative to unlock the wealth of citizens across the EU and channel it into productive investments that support growth, jobs, and competitiveness.
​
Families in Europe hold more than €10 trillion in bank deposits. While safe, these savings often earn very low returns, especially when inflation is high. At the same time, Europe needs up to €800 billion in new investment every year by 2030 for the green and digital transitions, innovation, and security.
​
The SIU aims to bridge this gap by:
​
-
Giving citizens better opportunities to invest their savings easily and productively.
-
Helping businesses (especially SMEs and start-ups) access more diverse and affordable sources of finance.
-
Building a stronger, more resilient and competitive European economy.
What will it do for people and families?
-
Better investment options: New savings and investment accounts will give households simple, low-cost ways to put their money to work.
-
Stronger pensions: Expanding auto-enrolment and supplementary pension schemes will help families build more secure retirement incomes.
-
Financial confidence: A new EU-wide financial literacy strategy will help people make informed choices about saving and investing.
-
Investing in Europe’s priorities: Citizens will also have opportunities to invest in projects that matter, from clean energy to infrastructure and housing.
What will it do for Irish businesses?
-
Easier access to capital: Companies will benefit from deeper, more integrated European markets, with more equity and venture funding available.
-
Room to grow: New EU measures will make it easier for innovative Irish firms to list or raise private capital, so they can scale up here in Ireland rather than abroad.
-
Fairer conditions: Removing cross-border tax and regulatory barriers will open larger and more efficient capital markets for Irish companies.
-
Boosting competitiveness: By linking Irish entrepreneurs, universities and investors into European innovation networks, the SIU will create more opportunities for jobs and growth.
What I am calling for in Budget 2026
To make sure Ireland fully benefits from the SIU, our own national budget for 2026 must support these goals. That means:
​
-
Tax incentives to encourage households to use savings and investment accounts that deliver better returns and channel money into productive investment.
-
Support for auto-enrolment and supplementary pensions, so Irish workers can build secure retirement savings while also strengthening capital markets.
-
Measures to back start-ups and scale-ups, ensuring Irish businesses can access venture capital and private investment more easily.
-
Investment in financial literacy programmes, so Irish people have the knowledge and confidence to take advantage of new opportunities.
I support the SIU because it will give Irish families better ways to grow their savings, help Irish businesses secure the finance they need to succeed, and strengthen Ireland’s long-term prosperity in a fast-changing world.
Learn more
There are plenty of resources online to help you understand the Savings and Investments Union (SIU).
Make sure to explore them and see how we can shape a stronger culture of saving and investing across Europe. The more we learn, the better prepared we are to take part in building a future of growth and opportunity.
Regina Doherty MEP Parlement européen Bât. ALTIERO SPINELLI 07F16360, rue Wiertz / Wiertzstraat 60 B-1047 Bruxelles/Brussel