CCPC warns Oireachtas committee of resource strain as mandate grows (irishtimes.com)

• CCPC chairman Brian McHugh to tell PAC: no significant extra funding in 2026
• Budget increased from €12.5m to €35.8m, headcount from 75 to 275
• New functions added without senior management restructuring – top risk
• Proposed bill would allow CCPC to screen tenders for bid-rigging, citing NDP funds

"The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) will tell the Public Accounts Committee that it received no significant additional exchequer funding in 2026, despite an expanding mandate. Budget has grown from €12.5m to €35.8m and headcount to 275, but new functions have been added without senior management changes. McHugh welcomes the proposed Consumer Protection, Competition and Enforcement Bill 2026, which would grant new powers to screen public tender data for bid-rigging, citing the €275 billion National Development Plan."