Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department and I engage regularly with a wide range of organisations, including the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) on matters such as the annual Budget processes and other relevant issues.

A representative from the NWCI was invited to attend each of the annual pre and post Budget fora held by my Department during the period in question. Over 60 organisations, representing the community and voluntary sector and other stakeholders, are invited to attend these fora.

In 2020, three online engagements took place with my officials in relation to Budget 2021 and the gender pension gap.

In 2021, four online engagements took place with my officials in relation to consultations on matters relating to a Lone Parents Digital Activation pilot project, a review of Child Maintenance, the launch of the NWCI’s strategic plan and Budget 2022.

In 2024, two engagements have taken place with my officials in relation to consultations on matters relating to a Lone Parents Digital Activation pilot project and a roundtable meeting, organised by the Think-tank for Action on Social Change (TASC) and the NWCI, on auto-enrolment.

The Statutory bodies operating under the aegis of my Department are the Citizens Information Board, The Pensions Authority, the Pensions Council and the Social Welfare Tribunal. I can confirm that none of these bodies had any specific engagements with the NWCI during the period in question.