John McKeon

Intent: To communicate the industry perspectives on the forthcoming Budget 2027

Details: Budget 2027

Intent: Resources allocated to the criminal justice system may be diverted to other departments of government for a more holistic appraoch to social issues and investment in underserved communities

Details: Highlighting findings and relevant recommendations from IPRT's recent report 'From Punishment to Prevention' and calling for the redirection of government investment to prevention and diversion strategies

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

Details: Inform of upcoming MESL research report

Intent: Propose a consultation process that involves other key stakeholders.

Details: Letter to discuss matters relating to Auto Enrollement

Intent: Communicate concern on behalf of business community regarding late notice of additional requirement for employers to re-evaluate pension schemes and reassess equivalence of benefits for multiple cohorts as part of the pension auto-enrolment scheme

Details: Additional regulations in pension auto-enrolment scheme

Intent: Ensure understanding of business position on proposed additional regulation of Auto-enrolment by end December 2025

Details: Auto-enrolment pensions

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

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 bring attention to potential challenges that could arise from emergency legislation

Details: Two letters to Department of Social Protection relating to emergency legislation in relation to Minimum Standards pertaining to MyFuture

Intent: To highlight issues with the system and request guidance.

Details: Communicated issues raised by Chartered Accountants Ireland members following the launch of the My Future Fund portal.