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

Members are required to participate in the meeting remotely from within the Leinster House complex only. I remind those in attendance to make sure their mobile phones are switched off or on silent mode.

I welcome the witnesses. They are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentation they make to the committee. This means they have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse this privilege and it is my duty, as Cathaoirleach, to ensure this privilege is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person or entity either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person or entity outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The committee will now consider the general scheme of the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Social Insurance and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Provisions) Bill 2024 as part of its pre-legislative scrutiny. The main rationale for pay-related benefits is that people becoming unemployed often do so with established financial commitments or other commitments and often face a sudden drop in their income in the immediate aftermath of the job loss. The Department presented to this committee on 18 April 2023 on a strawman proposal for jobseeker's pay-related benefit. Today, we are looking at the general scheme of this legislation. The legislation seeks to address the cliff edge and will also provide for increases to PRSI, further implementing the committee's recommendations in our report to the Minister on the Commission on Pensions. The committee is encouraged by the fact that the Minister and the Government have adopted our recommendations and are now implementing them.

I welcome to today's meeting the following witnesses from the Department of Social Protection: Ms Jackie Harrington, principal officer for jobseekers policy; Mr. Brian Duff, principal officer for PRSI policy; Mr. Colin O'Neill, assistant principal officer; and Ms Karen Byrne, assistant principal officer. They are all very welcome. I will now invite Ms Harrington to make her opening statement.