John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)

Good morning. Apologies have been received from Deputy Aird. He intends to contribute later.

I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit a member to participate where they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, a member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any member partaking via Microsoft Teams to confirm, prior to making their contribution to the meeting, that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that would be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identified person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative they comply with any such directive. I remind all those in attendance to ensure their mobile telephones are switched off or in silent mode.

The first item on the agenda today is the consideration of Supplementary Estimate for the public services 2025: Vote 37 – Social Protection. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Dara Calleary, and his officials to the meeting to discuss the Vote. While the committee has no role in approving the Estimate, they provide an ongoing opportunity for it to examine departmental expenditure to make the budgetary process more transparent and to engage in a meaningful way on relevant performance issues. The Supplementary Estimate for Vote 37, Social Protection, was presented to the Dáil on 12 November 2025. The Social Protection Vote is significant in terms of overall expenditure, accounting for over €27 billion, or approximately 25% of the total annual budget. The important functions, roles and responsibilities bestowed on the Department are reflected in its budgetary allocation. We, as representatives, see the issues that arise daily for people the length and breadth of the country. The examination of the allocation, the impacts and outputs, and, critically, the outcomes, is taken very seriously by this committee and it will engage with the Department on improving performance budgeting. I call on the Minister to make some brief opening remarks.