Department of Employment Affairs and Social ProtectionDepartment of Social ProtectionDepartment of Social Protection, Community, Rural Development and the Islands
Current Oireachtas Committee Memberships
No current committee memberships matched for this official.
Intent: To discuss with the Department of Social Protection key issues of concern for the INOU including on-going changes to social welfare system; key policy and practice developments including means testing.
Details: Bilateral meeting of the CVP and Dept. Social Protection took place.
10th June meeting in Goldsmith House. Items discussed included: Budget 2027 considerations, means testing review, new proposals on the working age payment and targeted child payment, fuel allowance and disability. - Meeting
Intent: To disseminate the findings of the MESL annual update report and the associated evidence-based policy recommendations in the Pre-Budget Submission
Details: Disseminate annual Minimum Essential Standard of Living report and associated pre-budget submission policy recommendations
Attended the National Economic Dialogue, discussing MESL findings on needs for children, working-age and older adults. - Event / ReceptionEmail sent on 9th June to inform of upcoming publication of MESL 2026 report and Budget 2027 recommendations, and to invite to MESL seminar - EmailMESL seminar held on 18th JuneIncluded presentation from MESL Research Team on the cost of a MESL in 2026, giving an overview of the: - change in cost of the minimum essentials required to live with dignity - cumulative impact of inflation since 2020 on minimum living costs and income adequacy - assessment of adequacy of social welfare supports - examination of the impact of services and in-work supports - outlining key policy recommendations for Budget 2027. - Event / Reception
Intent: To inform that the Minimum Essential Standard of Living 2026 report and associated pre-budget submission policy recommendations will be published in June, with details to follow
Intent: To discuss the context for Budget 2026, offering analysis of current minimum living costs and projected inflation, the role of one off vs permanent measures, and the potential impact of the approach taken in Budget 2026. ::To discuss progress on the benchmarking of working age social protection payments. ::To highlight potential issues with proposals for a means tested second tier of Child Benefit, and the importance of retaining a higher rate of support for older children.
Details: Bilateral meeting the Dept of Social Protection officials as part of Community & Voluntary Pillar
Intent: Disseminate a new research paper on the MESL needs of school age children, highlighting the additional costs associated with children aged 12 and over::Informing that new MESL research website is live, and updating links to research reports, publications, data, etc.::Announcing the availability of the new MESL calculator, which demonstrates the gap between current social welfare supports and households minimum expenditure needs.
Details: Informing of new MESL research publications
Email newsletter to inform that the new MESL website and calculator were live, and to disseminate the findings of a MESL research paper on the needs of school age children. - Email
Intent: To inform that the MESL analysis of the impact of Budget 2026 was published.To provide evidence based forecast of adequacy of social welfare rates, National Minimum Wage and in-work supports in 2026.
Details: Distribution of Budget 2026 MESL Impact Briefing
Intent: To discuss with the Department of Social Protection key issues of concern for the INOU including on-going changes to social welfare system; key policy and practice developments including means testing.
Details: Bilateral meeting of the CVP and Dept. Social Protection took place. It covered Budget 2026, benchmarking social welfare payments, DSP update on the upcoming Social Inclusion Strategy, energy and food poverty, targeted child benefit payments, the EU Presidency, cost of disability, working age paymen, ...
Ciaran Lawlor – Ass. Secretary Dept. Social ProtectionRonan Hession – Ass. Secretary Dept Social Protection - MeetingMinister Paschal DonohueMinister Jack Chambers - Meeting
Intent: Attended the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection to discuss our Pre Budget Submission 2026, and to answer questions from the Committee Members
Attended the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection to discuss our Pre Budget Submission 2026, and to answer questions from the Committee Members - Lobby day
