Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
275. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the EU funding opportunities that will be open for application for schemes under his Department and at agencies under his aegis in the next six months and in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56457/25]
View answerThe European Social Fund (ESF+), is an element of the Cohesion Policy Funds, which is the European Union’s (EU) main instrument for investing in people with a budget of almost €99.3 billion for the period 2021-2027.
The ESF+ fund continues to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas.
Of the €99.3 billion Cohesion funding, Ireland will receive approximately €1.3 billion of this under the EIST (Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training) programme, managed by the Department Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, including ESF+ funding of €508 million.
The Department of Social Protection has been earmarked approximately €60 million from these ESF+ funds, which are capable of being claimed over the lifetime of the programme.
The Department manages the following schemes under this programme:
• Back To Work Enterprise Allowance
• JobsPlus
• WorkAbility
• Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
