Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development travelled to Belfast on Thursday, 25 June to meet with members of the Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Communities.
The meeting in Parliament Buildings at Stormont followed on from a previous engagement in the Oireachtas in December 2025 between the two Committees that focused on key issues relevant to both committees.
Matters addressed by the Deputies, Senators and MLAs at Thursday’s meeting were:
- Energy Poverty and Retrofitting
- Combatting Poverty and Anti-Poverty Strategies
- Cost of Disability
- Community and Voluntary Sector Supports and Sustainability
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for members from both committees to come together and discuss and share knowledge, experiences and insights on key issues that face the communities they represent.
The agenda topics are key challenges that affect individuals, families, and communities and the discussions centred on sharing information on policies and approaches that can help to support communities.
Deputy Johnny Guirke, Senator Maria McCormack, Cathy Mason MLA, Deputy Eoin Hayes, Sian Mulholland MLA, Kellie Armstrong MLA, Senator Sarah O’Reilly, Mark Durcan MLA, Deputy William Aird, Deputy John Paul O’Shea (Cathaoirleach), Andy Allen MLA, Colm Gildernew MLA (Committee Chair), Maolíosa McHugh MLA and Deputy Peter Roche.
Speaking following the engagement, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development thanked his Stormont counterpart, Colm Gildernew, and NI Assembly Committee members for the meeting invitation.
Deputy O’Shea noted that whilst our systems and policies may differ, all committee Members are dedicated to supporting and improving the lives of people and communities whom we all represent. Thursday’s meeting provided an important forum to listen, learn and share insights and knowledge on some of the key issues impacting communities.
The Cathaoirleach thanked the NI Assembly Committee for Communities for hosting the meeting and looks forward to continued engagement on the key issues with the aim of delivering for communities and improving people’s lives.