Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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18. To ask the Minister for Finance the engagement he and his Department have had with the Department of Education in the preparation and publication of guidelines for promoting financial literacy in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15675/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Financial literacy and education are key components of financial consumer protection as they cover people’s awareness, behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and skills towards money.

They are an important life skill that everyone should have, which will ultimately benefit people’s overall financial resilience and wellbeing at all stages of their life.

Following a recommendation in the 2022 Retail Banking Review and in line with various OECD obligations, I published Ireland’s first National Financial Literacy Strategy in February.

The National Strategy was developed in line with the comprehensive evidence base as set out and published in the April 2024 Mapping Report. My Department worked closely with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) in developing the Strategy.

There was also extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the development of the Strategy. This included a range of public and private sector organisations such as educators, the financial services industry, civil society and Government Departments and agencies.

The ultimate mission of the five-year Strategy is to improve the level of financial literacy in Ireland through a vibrant financial literacy ecosystem – increasing cooperation, coordination and cohesion among stakeholders – and thereby supporting greater overall financial wellbeing and resilience.

At the same time as the National Financial Literacy Strategy was launched in February, I also launched• the 2025 Action Plan to support the implementation of the National Strategy in 2025;• an initial website to provide information about the National Financial Literacy Strategy and relevant research at financialliteracy.ie; and• the Financial Education in Schools: Guidelines for the Financial Services Industry (the Guidelines).

The Guidelines were developed jointly by the Department of Finance with the Department of Education and Youth. They were also developed with input from the OECD, as the global leader on best practice for financial literacy and education, along with engagement with stakeholders.

These Guidelines provide the basis for primary, post-primary schools and financial services providers to form quality, inclusive and relevant educational links that improve financial literacy, financial resilience and overall financial wellbeing for children and young people.

In particular, they provide for• A stronger understanding for teachers and management in schools on expectations when engaging with financial service providers; • A clear and transparent basis for financial service providers to engage in a school setting in line with internationally recommended practice;• A greater promotion of and awareness about financial literacy initiatives delivered within school settings; • Quality, inclusive and relevant educational links to the school curriculum; and• Solid foundations to build quality partnerships between schools and the financial services industry in delivering financial education programmes across the country.