July '26: Social Justice Newsletter
Welcome to the Social Justice Team Newsletter - July 2026
We are delighted to bring you this month's edition, which is also available on the SVP website. We hope that you find it useful and helpful.
In this issue
Introduction
We are delighted to share our policy related work and our 2027 Pre-Budget Submission that we have focused on for the past few months. In April 2026, we also welcomed our new team member, Hannah Boylan.
Hannah joined the team to support our Social Justice related work, especially in relation to the preparation of our 2027 Annual Pre-Budget Submission which we launched on Tues 30th June in Buswells Hotel, D2 and to support the associated advocacy campaign. We invite you to read more about the Submission and launch in the Behind the Scenes section below. This newsletter covers our work from May until July, so it's a bigger edition than usual, and therefore you might like to read it in parts.
Hannah Boylan, SVP Research and Policy Officer, has been a Researcher on the Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) Research Team since 2020, with an interest in adapting MESL data to examine the cost of living for specific groups in society. Hannah will be focused on Housing, Early Years, Asylum Seekers and Refugee Policy in her new role with the Social Justice Team.
Speaking Up
May 2026 - media interviews
1st May - Louise Bayliss, SVP Head of Social Justice and Policy, discussed increasing energy poverty on The Gathering, with David McCullagh.
6th May - Louise Bayliss was interviewed on RTE where she highlighted that SVP is seeing a year-on-year increase in demand for support as a result of the removal of energy credits alongside rising energy prices. She deemed energy support measures as urgent.
19th May - In this article, SVP highlighted that poverty rates among older people living alone have almost doubled, as well as rising energy arrears affecting households, urging governments to take action and calling for an emergency energy summit to help households cope. Louise Bayliss spoke to the Oireachtas Committee on Budgetary Oversight around these issues.
28th May - On the RTE Six One TV News, SVP responded to Electric Ireland’s price increase and highlighted that one in seven households are in electricity arrears showcasing the challenges facing households. It was noted that energy support measures must be dealt with before the end of the year.
- RTE Six One
Working Age Payments:
11th May - Louise Bayliss was interviewed on Newstalk’s Lunchtime Live on proposals to reform working age payments.
Housing and Homelessness:
14th May - Louise Bayliss returned to RTE Radio 1 to discuss the sharp rise in eviction notices, changes in legislation affecting tenants, as well as the urgency surrounding increased HAP rates. She also highlighted that the government must consider the wider economic cost of homelessness and emergency accommodation and called for stronger homelessness prevention measures.
Food Poverty:
27th May - This article noted that SVP had 112,000 requests for food assistance, highlighting the extent of the child poverty issue in Ireland.
June 2026 media interviews:
- 12th June - Energy Costs RTE Radio1 David McCullough
- 20th June - No fault eviction ban on RTE One
- 25th June - ESRI Energy Report – RTE Radio One
- 30th June - SVP Pre-Budget Submission – Newstalk Breakfast
Submissions
Cost of Disability Payment:
The Programme for Government (Securing Ireland's Future 2025 - 2029) included a commitment to introduce a Cost of Disability Payment. The purpose of the payment is to enable people living with a disability to meet the daily costs incurred directly because of their disability.
The next step in the development of this payment is the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit. This Summit will deliver briefing paper which will outline the main lessons learned. The Briefing Paper will also outline the main lessons learned and will help the Government to introduce a cost of disability payment. You can read the SVP submission to the Summit here.
Low Pay Commission:
Every year, the Low Pay Commission makes recommendations for the National Minimum Wage in the next year's budget. Our submission to the Commission is based on the findings of the Living Wage Technical Group, where we are a member alongside the Vincentian MESL Research Centre and other advocacy groups. Our recommendation is therefore for a National Minimum Wage that reflects the actual cost of living a dignified life in Ireland and meets the cost of living as it is today. Broadly, we recommend that the National Minimum Wage be index-linked, so that it is not subject to yearly Budget negotiations. You can read more here.
Consultation on Digital Wallet:
SVP responded to a request from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the introduction of a voluntary digital wallet that would operate as an app on mobile phones. The Digital Wallet will potentially mean that people can have easy access to state documentation; however, we are clear; it must be voluntary and should not cause any exclusion for people without digital literacy. One of the ways it could benefit though is recording guardianship for unmarried fathers, who can face barriers in proving their guardianship. Our commentary can be accessed here.
Consultation on Working Age Payment and 2nd Tier Child Benefit Proposal:
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) held a public consultation on major reforms of the social protection system. The proposals, while at an early stage, have the potential to radically change our social protection system. The current rules around part-time work need reform; however, any reform must not cause harm to any individuals or households. We welcome the consideration of a second-tier child benefit to reduce child poverty, but this needs to safeguard losses for some children, if existing supports are all streamlined into one payment. As part of our ongoing consultation with DSP, we made a comprehensive submission, which you can access here.
Policy in Focus
Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030:
On Wed 27th May, the Government launched the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030. This is an all-Government strategy, which is spearheaded by the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary. The Minister chairs a Steering Group of Assistant Secretary General of relevant departments.
The group will also include three external members of the Community and Voluntary Sector, and we are pleased that Louise Bayliss has been appointed. The Roadmap has 63 targets, which include reducing consistent poverty to 2% (from a current rate of 4.7%) in the general population and to 3% for children (from a current rate of 7.8%) by 2030.
It is a comprehensive strategy, which if fully implemented, would have a beneficial impact on the households that we support and we are committed to work with DSP in its implementation. It is important that the ambition of the Strategy is matched by financial investment. Budget 2027 will be an important indication of the commitment to the Strategy which can be accessed here.
Behind The Scenes
Social Inclusion Forum:
On Wed 27th May, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, and the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, launched the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030 at the Social Inclusion Forum, at the Aviva Stadium. SVP National President, Teresa Ryan, was honoured to deliver a keynote speech on the day, which was received warmly.
Pre-Budget Launch:
On Tues 30th June, we launched our 2027 Pre-Budget Submission at Buswells Hotel. The team presented our 23 Recommendations to Government for Budget 2027. After the presentations and Q&A we hosted 15 TDs from all parties to discuss the recommendations and the recent experiences of members.
MESL 2026 Launch:
On Thur 18th June, our SVP colleagues at the Vincentian MESL Research Centre, held the launch of the 2026 MESL Report in SVP House. The report outlines the key 2026 MESL Research findings, highlighting that the cost of achieving a MESL has increased by an average of 3.8% over the last year and by 23.6% since 2020. The Report also demonstrates that Social Welfare payments are still not enough to meet basic living costs for most people.
Children's Rights Alliance - Child Poverty Monitor:
On Wed 10th June, we attended the launch of the 2027 Children's Rights Alliance Child Poverty Monitor at the YMCA Aungier Street, D2. This is the fifth CRA Child Poverty Monitor. Tanya Ward, CRA Chief Executive said “With over 95,000 children in Ireland growing up in consistent poverty, the Monitor calls for action in Budget 2027 in the face of levies that threaten the delivery of vital public services.” Read more here.
The Wheel: Pre-Budget Launch:
On Wed 10th June, 'The Wheel' launched their Pre-Budget Submission on behalf of the Community and Voluntary sector. They called for multi-annual funding to support the sustainability of the sector. The launch was held in the AV room, in the Oireachtas and was attended by sitting TDs and Senators. Louise Bayliss was a speaker on the day.
National Homeless Action Committee:
On Wed 10th June, Louise Bayliss attended the National Homeless Action Committee meeting with representatives from the homeless sector and Housing Minister James Browne. Members of the committee raised concerns that the new legislation Housing Bill (Miscellaneous 2026) risked people being denied access to emergency accommodation, without fulfilling a Habitual Residency Clause.
Minister Browne listened to our concerns and agreed to review the implementation of the legislation on an ongoing basis with the committee. He also agreed to meet with representatives of Community Law and Mediation and Mercy Law to discuss specific concerns they had around the legislation. The legislation was signed into law on Thur, 23rd July. We will be monitoring the impact of the legislation, along with our colleagues in the homeless sector.
Consumer Credit Round Table Hosted by the Central Bank:
On Wed 27th May, we attended and contributed to a roundtable with representatives from the Central Bank on consumer credit, raising our concerns about the ability of organisations to provide the type of supports needed to engage and support customers in debt and our concerns about people using credit to purchase everyday items.
International Protection:
On Wed 20th May, SVP attended the Children's Rights Alliance (CRA) Member Meeting on Refugee Work, where members discussed recent developments in migration and asylum policy and the ongoing challenges facing children and families in international protection accommodation. The meeting provided a valuable forum to share experiences and inform future advocacy priorities.
SVP and MESL Pre-Budget 2027 Submission Briefing:
On Tues 19th May, SVP hosted a Pre-Budget 2027 Submission Briefing for key stakeholders and peer charities at SVP House, bringing together representatives from across the social and community sector. The event provided insights into the economic context for Budget 2027, emerging findings from MESL research, and opportunities to align advocacy and communications priorities ahead of the budget process.
Oireachtas Committee – Budgetary Oversight Committee:
On Tues 19th May, we were invited into the Budgetary Oversight Committee to discuss Budgetary Measures to Address Energy Costs and the Cost of Living. Louise Bayliss, Head of Social Justice and Policy, and Allison O'Malley Graham, Research and Policy Officer, attended from the social justice team and Michael Higgins, Head of Member Support was also in attendance. Our colleagues from Social Justice Ireland and NEVIN Economic Research Institute (NERI) were also in attendance. The Committee accepted many of our recommendations, including requesting CRU (Commission on the Regulation of Utilities) to collect data on the number of households self-disconnecting from PAYG meters. The full Report from the Committee can be found here.
Cost of Disability:
SVP attended the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit on Wed 13th May, which brought together stakeholders from across the disability sector to discuss the financial challenges faced by people with disabilities and their families. The event provided an opportunity to share experiences, explore policy solutions, and strengthen collective advocacy for measures that address the additional costs associated with disability.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Community and Voluntary Pillar (CVP) Bi-lateral:
SVP was one of the many orgs from the Community and Voluntary Pillar (CVP) who met with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to raise key issues with the department, including points on Budget 2027 and how it needs to target supports to those groups of people who need it most. We shared our insights on how previous Budget decisions financially impacted people longer term and how the cost-of-living impacts people on lower incomes because they experience inflation at a higher rate because of what they buy i.e. energy. We also discussed Ireland hosting the EU presidency, Multiannual Financial Framework for the community and voluntary sector, the Digital Agenda, and National Economic Dialogue.
Childcare: Together for Public Alliance
SVP attended the launch of the Together for Public Alliance’s Position Paper, Roadmap to Public Childcare, on Wed, 6th May. The event brought together representatives from across the early years sector to highlight the policy changes needed to deliver an affordable, accessible, inclusive, and high-quality public childcare system for all children in Ireland.
Financial Literacy:
On Mon 27th April, SVP attended a Financial Literacy Research Workshop hosted by the Central Bank of Ireland. The workshop brought together representatives from academia, charities, and the public sector to share knowledge and explore current and future financial literacy research in Ireland. The event included a roundtable discussion with key stakeholders, along with presentations from academics working in this area and representatives from MABS. It provided SVP with an important opportunity to ensure that the experiences and voices of our members, and the households you support, are considered in future financial literacy research.
International Protection:
On Tues 21st April, we attended a webinar hosted by CRA , with a presentation and Q&A from Adrienne Byrne, Principal Social Worker in Residential Welfare Team, IPAS. It was an opportunity for the voluntary and community sector to hear about the day-to-day operational work and the policies leading IPAS. The voluntary and community sector gave their insights to the lived experiences to residents of international protection accommodation and support they provide.
DEIS Plus Strategy:
On Wed 25th March, we were welcomed by Principal Kevin Shortall and staff at St Aidan's Community School, Brookfield, Tallaght, to attend the launch of the new DEIS Strategy. We have been on the Advisory Board providing our insights into the impact and causes of educational disadvantage. A key pillar of the Strategy is the development of the new DEIS Plus Model. This is a data driven model that zooms in on key indicators of poverty and brings them together the families and school children who are at the apex of poverty, most likely intergenerational poverty, and educational disadvantage.
Supporting Migrants in the North:
On Wed 18th March, SVP hosted Mears Housing Group and Migrant Help in the North Regional Office in Belfast, to discuss asylum seekers living in the North and how best to support them, particularly in housing. Discussion focused on the nature of housing supports for asylum seekers, what state supports are available, and gaps in the existing system. This event is part of our wider drive in Northern Ireland to grow our partnerships with other organisations and build a broad coalition on anti-poverty policy.
Newsletter Feedback
We have had some very positive feedback from Members and external peers on previous issues of this newsletter. Thanks to those who got in touch. If you’d like to provide feedback please email socialjustice.newsletter@svp.ie
For those in NI, please get in touch with the team if you have any items you wish to make them aware of socialjustice@svpni@co.uk
