October '25: Social Justice Newsletter
Welcome to the Social Justice Team Newsletter
Welcome to the Social Justice Team Newsletter.
We are delighted to bring you this month's edition. We hope you find it useful and helpful. The newsletter is now available on the SVP website.
In this issue
Introduction
Much of our focus and time in October went to Budget 2026. On the day the team were ready to respond to the government policy announcements, at SVP House, Buswells Hotel and RTE studios.
We published a press release within hours of the Budget speeches, Lousie and Nessan appeared on RTE shows, radio and TV to give our views as the announcements were made. Out of SVP’s 19 recommendations, two were fully adopted, six were partially or somewhat adopted. There were some positive policy decisions which will have impact on people's lives, but overall, the Budget lacked the child poverty, and the cost of disability support we’d been told would be included. We’ve included a synopsis of Budget 2026 in Policy in Focus. It's a packed newsletter this month, there's never any pressure or expectation for you to read everything, find the pieces that are of interest you and enjoy.
Speaking Up
Budget 2026 was the focus of speaking up this month. We published a press release, within hours after the budget was announced. (Read Here)
- Louise was on RTE Radio 1 News at One
- Nessan was on the panel of RTE TV Coverage (2:46)
- RTE Radio 1 Late Debate (Louise)
- Newstalk - Marcella on with Anton Savage
- Oliver Callan (budget commentary at 17:35)
- Irish Independent print and online
- Breaking News
- Breaking News
- The Sun
- Radio Kerry
- Meath Chronicle
- Roscommon Herald
Policy in Focus - Budget 2026
When we hear each Budget announcement we ask how will this affect people we’ve supported in the past year? Does it mean that they’ll get by? Can they pay the next bill that's on its way or cover the cost of the school trip their daughter wants to go on?
Does it give households access to basic necessities like eating a full dinner every night and hot water when they need it? Or will it mean having to turn to SVP, like so many have had to do. Read the full article here, or listen to the audio recording here. (The audio is 6 min 55 seconds long)
It covers the topics of:
- Social Welfare Rates
- Changes for Families
- Education
- Housing and Homelessness
- Assessment of Need for Children
- Who and What's Left Out of Budget 2026
MESL Budget 2026 Impact Briefing:
Budget 2026 brings a welcome focus on adjustments to core rates, after a reliance on temporary ‘cost of living’ supports in recent years. The lasting impact of this, and the income adequacy change which may arise is examined. Read MESL Research Centre Budget 2026 Impact Briefing here.
Department of Social Protection:
The evening of the budget, Allison attended a presentation from the Department of Social Protection; the presentation and factsheet on social welfare payments can be read here and here.
Behind The Scenes
Oireachtas Committees Poverty and Deprivation:
On 15th of October Louise was invited to an Oireachtas Committee on Poverty and Deprivation. You can read Louises statement here or watch the meeting on Oireachtas TV here.
(The panel with Louise starts 1hour 26mins, Louise's statement starts 1hour 34mins)
Child Poverty and Deprivation :
On the 9th of October Louise attended and presented at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Equality on Child Poverty and Deprivation on child poverty. You can read Louises statement here or watch the meeting on Oireachtas TV here. (Louise's statement starts 16mins 30sec)
Central Bank Roundtable :
This month we attended a community round table meeting at the Central Bank, chaired by Governor Gabriel Makhlouf and Colm Kincaid, Deputy Governor for Consumer and Investor Protection, was also in attendance. We had presentations on Assisted Decision Making and Vulnerability (Inclusion Ireland) Digital Exclusion and challenges for consumers using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (National Disability Authority) Mortgages – Arrears and Restructures (Irish Mortgage Holders Association), and the economic state of Ireland. You can access the presentations here.
Simon Community Presentation :
Louise presented a post budget analysis for the Simon Community, read the full presentation here.
Member meeting with the Ukraine Civil Society Forum:
The monthly meeting with members of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum focused on the recent changes to the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP). Despite a reduction in the payment to €600 per month from €800 (from 8th July 2025), there is a continued growth in those hosting and hosted persons availing the payment.
There is anecdotal evidence that ‘top-up’ payments are a large factor in the ARP arrangements being maintained. This is problematic as it is unregulated and possibly exploitative. SVP has contributed our evidence and experiences of the issue to the Forum; this will be used in policy and advocacy developments as part of the Forum’s development of a policy paper on the issue.
The coordinator of the forum, Brian Killoran, gave feedback on a meeting held on behalf of the Forum with Minister Brophy, the Minister of State, with special responsibility for Migration. SVP social justice also provided case studies of some of the issues affecting Ukrainian families who are being supported by the Society. Issues include the increasing number of requests from landlords for ‘top-up’ payments following the reduced ARP monthly payment, and the barriers adults are experiencing accessing English language skills courses.
Research Report Launch :
Marcella attended the launch of a research report ‘Renting at the Frontier 2025’ commissioned by the housing charity Threshold, written by Dr Valesca Lima (DCU School of Law and Government), in Dublin City Council buildings on Wood Quay, Dublin 8 recently.
The report examines the realities of being a licensee in Ireland. Licensees are generally renters who are not covered by the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA), or the main legislation protecting renters. License arrangements can range from dig styles accommodation where the renter is living in the primary home of a landlord to accommodation tied to the renter’s work, and other types of precarious renting arrangements. The research examines the lived realities of residential licensees in Ireland and how they navigate these deeply informal housing arrangements without the legal safeguards of the Residential Tenancies’ Act (RTA).
The research findings were presented by Dr Lima, with licensee Xanthe Robson adding her real-world experience to the conversation. The event concluded with Threshold’s advocacy manager, Ann-Marie O’Reilly, outlining the report’s recommendations. You can read the full report here. Or a summary report here.
Hygiene Hub Presentation :
Marcella delivered a presentation on the work of SVP Social Justice to a group of volunteers who volunteer for Hygiene Hub. Also on the night, an SVP volunteer from Galway gave her experiences of delivering hygiene products while carrying out home visitation on behalf of SVP. It was a powerful and insightful speech which highlighted the necessity for people to be able to access hygiene products to give a sense of dignity, respect and control over their lives. You can view Marcella’s presentation here.
Hygiene Hub was established in 2019 to provide hygiene and household cleaning products through networks of partners and to be advocates for change through education, research and campaigns.
Meeting with Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD :
The day after Budget Day Marcella attended a meeting with the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, as part of the Early Years Stakeholder Forum. The Minister provided additional information surrounding the announcement of funding to be delivered for the Equal Start model and the roll-out of a pilot scheme to deliver publicly funded Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC). Both budget announcements formed part of SVP pre-budget recommendations; we are happy to see them being delivered upon and appreciated the opportunity to hear from the Minister how they will be rolled out next year for the benefit of children and their families experiencing disadvantage.
What’s on the horizon
- Human Rights Symposium – Advancing Migrant Rights in Ireland and Europe
- All Together for population Health Workshop – it's the first time SVP Social Justice have been involved in a workshop in this area.
Newsletter Feedback
We are currently running a very short survey for members regarding a new way of you getting involved in our campaigns, please see the email attached.
If you’d like to provide feedback, please email socialjustice.newsletter@svp.ie
For those in NI, please get in touch with the Social Justice Team NI if you have any items you wish to make them aware of socialjustice@svpni@com
