Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
66. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to publish a new employment strategy to help those most distant from the labour market into the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15021/26]
View answerMy Department is in the drafting stage of the successor Pathways to Work, the national employment services strategy. It is expected to be published in Q2 2026. This builds on a comprehensive public consultation process last year which yielded 430 submissions, a series of 5 regional workshops, close cooperation with other government departments and the oversight of the Labour Market Advisory Council.
The strategy will aim to address the needs of the labour market in the context of AI, demographic change and decarbonisation of the economy. In line with the Programme for Government, it will examine how to avoid income cliff edges in transitioning to employment. Pathways to Work will ensure the public employment service is equipped to support jobseekers in a changing economy as well as to forecast and respond to employment shocks. Ensuring people are encouraged to take up employment is central to addressing these disruptions and maintaining a competitive economy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
