Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I remind members, officials and those in the Gallery to please ensure their mobile phones are switched off for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment. This meeting has been convened to consider the Supplementary Estimate for Vote 37 of €755 million for the Department of Social Protection, which was referred to this committee by Dáil Éireann. I welcome an Aire, the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, and her officials to this meeting. I also welcome an Aire Stáit, the Minster of State at the Department of Social Protection, with responsibility for community development and charities, Deputy Joe O'Brien. I thank the Minister and her officials for the briefing document which they provided for this meeting. As the Minister is present, officials should not speak in public session.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also wish to advise them that the opening statement and any other documents submitted to the committee may be published on the website after this meeting.

To commence our discussion, I now invite the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to make her opening presentation.