Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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17. To ask the Minister for Finance the progress to date in implementing the national financial literacy plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27605/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Financial literacy and education are an important part of financial consumer protection. Financial literacy works alongside many other consumer protections in place to help consumers make the most of their money, make informed decisions and improve their financial resilience and wellbeing.

I published Ireland’s first National Financial Literacy Strategy in February this year. This was a recommendation of the Retail Banking Review in 2022, and a Programme for Government commitment.

The Strategy was based on the evidence set out in the Mapping Report for the development of a Financial Literacy Strategy published in April 2024.

My Department worked closely with the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and the Central Bank of Ireland (Central Bank) to develop the Financial Literacy Strategy. There was extensive stakeholder engagement across a range of public and private sector organisations including 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. The Strategy has identified 32 aims and objectives to deliver on that mission.

At the same time as the Strategy’s publication in February, I also launched:

• the 2025 Action Plan to support the implementation of the Strategy in 2025;
• an initial website to provide information about the National Financial Literacy Strategy and relevant research at www.financialliteracy.ie; and
• Guidelines for the Financial Services Industry delivering financial education in schools.