Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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147. To ask the Minister for Finance the steps are being taken to support financial literacy programmes nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66501/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Financial literacy is an essential life skill and an important part of financial consumer protection. It 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 well-being.

To support this skill, Ireland’s first National Financial Literacy Strategy was published in February this year.

The Strategy was built from extensive stakeholder engagement and the evidence base set out in a Mapping Report published in April 2024.

The focus of the five-year Strategy is to improve the level of financial literacy by working with Ireland’s financial literacy ecosystem – increasing cooperation, coordination and cohesion among stakeholders – and thereby supporting greater overall financial well-being and resilience.

My Department worked closely with a range of public and private sector organisations throughout the Strategy’s development. This included educators, the financial services industry, civil society and Government Departments and agencies. This engagement continues as we now implement the Strategy.

At the same time as the Strategy as published, my Department also launched:

• the 2025 Action Plan to support the implementation of the Strategy in 2025;
• a 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.