Minister Humphreys hosts Pre Budget 2024 Forum
- Published on: 19 July 2023
- Last updated on: 16 August 2023
- over 60 organisations and community groups represented at key annual event
- opportunity for stakeholders to discuss policy issues and present their thoughts and views on the upcoming Budget
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, today hosted the department’s annual Pre-Budget Forum in Farmleigh House. The Minister was joined by Joe O’Brien, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities.
This Forum offers an important opportunity for community and voluntary groups, trade union and employer representatives to discuss and debate policy issues and present their thoughts and views on the upcoming Budget.
It focused on five thematic workshops which gave stakeholders the opportunity to discuss their priorities. Representatives from a broad range of organisations and community groups attended the Forum, which was moderated by Tommie Gorman.
Addressing the Forum, Minister Humphreys said:
“Today’s forum is all about engagement – it’s about listening to the stakeholders who work closely with families and our vulnerable citizens every single day. This upcoming Budget will once again be framed on the cost of living pressures that people continue to face.
“As Minister, my overriding priority is to deliver a strong package of social protection measures that will support families and our most vulnerable. Last year, we delivered a €2.2 billion social protection budget – the largest in the history of the State. And as we put together Budget 2024, I will not be found wanting in my approach.”
During today’s event, it was noted that issues raised about means-testing for fuel allowance at last year’s forum contributed to decisions on changes which have benefitted many people.
Also speaking at the Forum, Minister O’Brien said:
“As Minister of State with responsibility for social inclusion, I have a strong interest in addressing all types of poverty. I am acutely aware that many people in this country are struggling now given the increase in the cost of living.
“The decisions made during the annual budgetary process have a major impact on people’s lives. Therefore, it is important, especially with the increased cost of living, that we consider how to target welfare increases to ensure that those who are most vulnerable receive the supports they need.”
List of organisations represented at Pre-Budget 2024 Forum
- Active Retirement Ireland
- Alliance of Age Sector NGOs
- Age Action Ireland
- Age and Opportunity
- AHEAD
- Alone
- Alzheimer Society of Ireland
- American Chamber of Commerce Ireland
- As I Am
- ATD Fourth World Ireland
- Barnardos
- Care Alliance Ireland
- Children's Rights Alliance
- Chime
- Congress Centres Network
- Crosscare
- Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics
- Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI)
- European Anti-Poverty Network
- Family Carers Ireland
- Focus Ireland
- Home and Community Care Ireland
- I.B.E.C
- I.C.T.U
- Inclusion Ireland
- Independent Living Movement Ireland
- Irish Cancer Society
- Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association
- Irish Council for Social Housing
- Irish Farmers’ Association
- Irish Hospice Foundation (rep. Alliance of Age Sector NGO's)
- Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU)
- Irish Refugee Council
- Irish Rural Link
- Irish Senior Citizens’ Parliament (see Alliance of Age Sector NGOs)
- ISME
- Irish Wheelchair Association
- Mental Health Reform
- National Association of Widows in Ireland
- National Council for the Blind in Ireland
- National Federation of Pensioners' Associations
- National Youth Council of Ireland
- Neurology Support Centre
- One Family
- One Parent Family Alliance
- Pavee Point
- Protestant Aid
- Rehab Group
- Retired Workers Committee (ICTU)
- SAGE Advocacy
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (S.E.A.I)
- Simon Community
- Society of St. Vincent de Paul
- Social Justice Ireland
- SPARK (Single Parents Acting for the Rights of Kids)
- Threshold
- The Wheel
- TREOIR
- Teen Parents Support Programme (TREOIR)
- Trustus We Care
- Union of Students in Ireland
- Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice