Gender Equality Committee to discuss care and social protection with representatives from the Department of Social Protection

The report of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality can be read in full here.  

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:00.

Rónán Hession, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Social Protection and Ciarán Lawler, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Social Protection with responsibility for financial matters, legislation and pension will appear before the Committee. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ivana Bacik TD said: “We look forward to resuming our discussion on the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly in relation to care and social protection.”

“The report of the Citizens’ Assembly makes a number of recommendations under the banner of care and social protection such as improving the terms and conditions of those in paid employment as carers for children and adults, an individualised pension solution for carers, the Carer’s Support Grant, the provisions of respite services and a range of measures regarding the care of older people with disabilities, changes to the State Pension system and a Universal Basic Income.”

“While not all these topics fall under the Department of Social Protection’s responsibility – they all interact in different ways and we look forward to engaging with the Department’s officials on how best to implement the report’s recommendations.” “The recent measures announced in the Budget by the Department to combat the cost of living crisis through enhanced social protection packages and plans for a pension auto enrolment scheme are also items we hope to discuss.”  

Watch the meeting live on Oireachtas.ie or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.