From:Department of Social Protection

The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, today hosted the Department’s annual Pre-Budget Forum in Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2.

This forum offers a unique opportunity for community and voluntary organisations, trade union and business representatives to discuss policy issues, present their priorities for the upcoming Budget, and engage with the Minister and his officials from the Department of Social Protection.

The event was moderated by broadcaster Ingrid Miley and was addressed by Dr Aedín Doris, Associate Professor at Maynooth University's Economics Department.

Speaking at the Forum, Minister Calleary thanked the many groups for attending and for providing valuable contributions that focus on priorities for the upcoming Budget.

The Forum provided for thematic workshops which gave stakeholders the opportunity to discuss their priorities.

Addressing the Forum, Minister Calleary said:

“This event provides me with a great opportunity to meet the organisations who advocate so passionately on behalf of the people they represent.

Hearing from these community, voluntary, employee and employer representatives as they discuss their priorities for the upcoming Budget is important to me. It provides me with that local and regional insight into the impact budgetary measures can have on communities across Ireland

Given the economic uncertainty, Budget 2027 will be challenging, but I can promise you that, as I did in Budget 2026, I will make a strong case to secure a Social Protection Budget package that targets available resources to support those most in need.”

List of organisations represented at Pre-Budget 2027 Forum