Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to discuss welfare supports for self-employed and scrutiny of EU legislative proposal

The Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development will meet tomorrow, Wednesday, 15 April, for separate engagements on scrutiny of an EU legislative proposal on pensions and welfare supports for the unemployed.

The meeting at 9:30am in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will be split into two sessions:

1. 9:45am – Further Scrutiny of EU legislative proposal: COM / 2025 / 0842 with officials from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) and representatives from the Pensions Authority.

2. 10:45am – Welfare Supports for the Self-Employed with officials from the Department of Social Protection.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy John Paul O’Shea said: “This EU proposal relates to strengthening the framework for occupational retirement provision and is part of a wider EU strategy to boost supplementary pensions and to encourage European citizens to invest more of their savings as part of the EU Savings and Investment initiative.

“The Committee has previously examined the Pan-European Pension Product (PEPP) with the President of the European Court of Auditors and looks forward to discussing the Commission proposal and its implications for the wider pensions and financial sector with DSP officials and the Pension Authority.

“In our second session, the Committee will discuss welfare supports for the self-employed with Department officials. The Committee looks forward to engaging with officials on the various supports and schemes available to support self-employed persons.”

The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.