Press release
Minister Humphreys hosts Pre-Budget Forum
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, hosted the Department of Social Protection’s annual Pre-Budget Forum in Dublin Castle today.
She was joined by Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, and Damien English TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Employer Services.
Representatives from a broad range of organisations and community groups attended the Forum, which was moderated by the journalist Ingrid Miley.
Addressing the Forum, Minister Humphreys said:
“A key commitment in the Programme for Government is the building of a new social contract between the State and our citizens.
“The Social Protection system is a vital part of this social contract with the annual Budget process delivering on positive change, aiming to make a difference to the lives of people throughout the State.”
Minister Humphreys referred to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on people’s lives and how it has served to demonstrate, more than ever, the importance of the social protection system in providing a strong safety net for our citizens.
In 2020, the Department’s expenditure reached over €30 billion, nearly 50% higher than pre-Covid estimated spending and this year’s spending is expected to be over €29 billion.
Minister Humphreys added:
“Much of my Department’s focus over the last year and a half has been on providing emergency income supports to those adversely affected by the pandemic, as well as protecting those most at risk of poverty.
“Thanks to the continued successful rollout of the vaccination programme, we can now begin to look forward and beyond the pandemic, as we continue to re-open our society and economy.
“As we move from the pandemic response to the pandemic recovery, we need to refocus our efforts - not just on providing income supports - but on equipping people to return to work. The Government this week set out its plans to support tens of thousands of people into employment through our new National employment strategy, Pathways to Work.
“I am also conscious of the many people who are dependent on other weekly welfare payments, for example people with disabilities, older people and carers. I want to ensure that their views are heard as Government considers the makeup of Budget 2022.”
The Minister continued:
“In Budget 2022, I am determined to continue the progress made in recent years in lifting the most vulnerable out of poverty.
“Extensive research clearly demonstrates that social transfers contribute very significantly to reducing poverty rates.
“In Ireland, social transfers have a poverty reduction effect of nearly 70%, one of the highest in Europe.
“The challenge for this Budget will be how to direct our resources towards those in most need.”
Also speaking today, Minister O’Brien said:
"I have responsibility within the Department of Social Protection for social inclusion and the implementation of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion. The primary aim of the Roadmap is to reduce the national consistent poverty rate to 2% or less by 2025.
“Reducing the rate of consistent poverty is fundamental to decreasing inequality and ensuring that the most vulnerable feel included in society.
“We know that things must change in order to reduce poverty in Ireland. The decisions we make during the annual budgetary process are part of this change as we consider how to target welfare increases to ensure that those who are most vulnerable receive the support they need.”
Attending his first Pre-Budget Forum of the Department of Social Protection, Minister English said he welcomed the opportunity to meet stakeholder representatives and hear their priorities for the forthcoming Budget.
The Minister added:
“At some point the focus of Government needs to turn from responding to the pandemic to looking to the future.
“It is important, in the interests of equity and sustainability, and in common with the approach being taken in other countries, that we look to restore more normal levels of employer supports and social welfare payments.
“This must be managed in a careful and phased way to minimise income cliff-edges while also ensuring employment services and training is available to impacted workers.
Minister English referred to the main elements of the Pathways to Work Strategy, stating:
“Over the course of these changes, those at highest risk of long-term unemployment will start to be offered employment service support so they can begin their journey back to work or training and education. This is a key element of the Pathways to Work strategy 2021-2025 to help those who are unemployed to return to work by upskilling and reskilling through education and training initiatives.
“This obviously has significant crossover with my own Ministerial responsibilities, and I look forward to working with Minister Humphreys to deliver the best outcomes for those who have lost employment and need additional supports to secure employment again.”
Mr. Seamus Coffey, lecturer in the Department of Economics in University College Cork also addressed the Pre-Budget Forum, giving his perspective as Ireland begins to recover from the pandemic and the approach which should be taken in the context of Budget 2022.
ENDS