The Committee scrutinises the work of the Department of Social Protection and Department of Rural and Community Development and their respective agencies, and examines expenditure, policy related aspects and EU matters.
The effect of national and local policies on island communities
In the first official Oireachtas business to be held on an offshore island, which took place on Oiléan Árainn Mhór in Donegal, the committee considered climate neutrality and biodiversity on the islands; housing and sustainable communities on offshore islands and matters of health as they relate to people living on islands.
Social Welfare (Pay-Related Social Insurance and Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit Provisions) Bill
In considering the proposed legislation, the Committee recommends using bands to set the payment rates and that the Department should publish a poverty and gender impact analysis of the proposal to individualise payment.
Press releases
30 Apr 2024, 14:03
Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands to discuss ‘Our Rural Future’ and the implementation of Town Centre First Policies
16 Apr 2024, 16:08
Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands meets for discussion on the impact of means testing on farm assist and other Social Welfare schemes
10 Apr 2024, 10:17
Social Protection Committee to discuss the impact of means testing on the State Pension & other Social Welfare Schemes with representatives from ALONE, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament and Age Action Ireland
Recent videos
Wed, 1 May 2024
Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands
Topic: Engagement on Our Rural Future and the implementation of Town Centre First Policies
Wed, 24 Apr 2024
Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands
Topic: The Impact of Means Testing on the Social Welfare System
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands
Topic: The Impact of Means Testing on Farm Assist and other Social Welfare Schemes
Recent documents
Fri, 3 May 2024
Briefing Paper, Means Testing in the Social Welfare System, Niall Watters, Senior Researcher (Social Policy/Public Administration), Oireachtas Library and Research Service
Wed, 1 May 2024
Opening statement, Ian Doyle, Head of Conservation, The Heritage Council
Wed, 1 May 2024
Opening statement, Fintan O’Brien, Assistant Secretary General, Department of Rural and Community Development
Recent reports
Tue, 9 Apr 2024
Report on the Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities as discussed on Oiléan Árainn Mhór
Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Report on the Operation and Effect of National and Local Policy on Island Communities as discussed on Oiléan Árainn Mhór, March 2024
Wed, 6 Mar 2024
Report on the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Social Insurance and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Provisions) Bill 2024
Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, Report on the pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Social Welfare (Pay-Related Social Insurance and Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit Provisions) Bill 2024, March 2024
Fri, 9 Feb 2024
Work Programme 2024
Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Work Programme 2024, February 2024
Select committee
The select committee comprises only Dáil Members. It meets to consider legislation and Estimates relating to the Committee's remit.
EU scrutiny
All proposed EU legislation in the areas of agriculture, food and the marine is scrutinized by the committee and decisions are made regarding such proposals.