Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698137162996.pdf (Ireland)
An Comhchoiste um Choimirce Shóisialach, Forbairt Pobail agus Tuaithe agus na hOileáin An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Meán Fómhair 2023 Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 September 2023 33/JCSPCRI/016 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Committee Membership Sen. Paddy Burke Jackie Cahill T.D.
Joe Carey T.D.

Joan Collins T.D.

Fine Gael Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Independents 4 Change Paul Donnelly T.D.

Sen. Róisín Garvey Sen. Paul Gavan Sen. Eugene Murphy Sinn Féin Green Party Sinn Féin Fianna Fáil Denis Naughten T.D.

Independent Cathaoirleach Marc Ó Cathasaigh T.D.

Éamon Ó Cuív T.D.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire Green Party Fianna Fáil Sinn Féin John Paul Phelan T.D.
Fine Gael Sen. Mark Wall Labour Page 1 of 22 Page 1 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Cathaoirleachs Foreword The Public Service Performance report (PSPR) 2022 was published on 21 June 2023 by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR).
The PSPR is a public-focused, accessible report providing an overview on what was delivered with public money for each Government Department over the period January 2022 to December 2022.

One of the key objectives of our Oireachtas Committee working in tandem with the Department is to ensure that this report achieves its aim of being publically accessible.

Because the core function of our Oireachtas Committee is to monitor the performance of the Department, the PSPR is a key tool in fulfilling that role.
The report is a milestone in the parliamentary budgetary cycle, providing a valuable opportunity for sectoral Committees to engage constructively in a more structured calendar of parliamentary oversight of the budgetary process.

Performance-based budgeting aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure by linking the funding of public sector organisations to the results they deliver by making systematic use of performance information.
The key output of this project is a framework to tag and track all areas of public expenditure across dimensions of equality, wellbeing, the sustainable development goals, SDGs and green budgeting.

The members of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands would like to thank the Officials from the Department of Social Protection for their valuable engagement and look forward to further engagement with the Department in the Autumn.

Denis Naughten T.D.
Cathaoirleach to the Committee September 2023 Page 2 of 22 Page 2 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Cathaoirleachs Foreword Table of Contents The Public Service Performance report (PSPR) 2022 was published on 21 June 2023 by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPDR).
The PSPR is a public-focused, accessible report providing an overview on what was delivered with public money for each Government Department over the period January 2022 to December 2022.
One of the key objectives of our Oireachtas Committee working in tandem with the Department is to ensure Committee Membership ........................................................................................... 1 Cathaoirleachs Foreword ........................................................................................ 2 Introduction and Witnesses .................................................................................... 4 Key Issues ................................................................................................................ 5 that this report achieves its aim of being publically accessible.
Conclusion .............................................................................................................. 10 APPENDIX 1 – Orders of Reference ...................................................................... 11 APPENDIX 2 – Links to Meeting Transcripts ....................................................... 22 APPENDIX 3 – Links to Opening Statements ...................................................... 22 Because the core function of our Oireachtas Committee is to monitor the performance of the Department, the PSPR is a key tool in fulfilling that role.
The report is a milestone in the parliamentary budgetary cycle, providing a valuable opportunity for sectoral Committees to engage constructively in a more structured calendar of parliamentary oversight of the budgetary process.

Performance-based budgeting aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure by linking the funding of public sector organisations to the results they deliver by making systematic use of performance information.
The key output of this project is a framework to tag and track all areas of public expenditure across dimensions of equality, wellbeing, the sustainable development goals, SDGs and green budgeting.

The members of the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands would like to thank the Officials from the Department of Social Protection for their valuable engagement and look forward to further engagement with the Department in the Autumn.

Denis Naughten T.D.
Denis Naughten T.D.

Cathaoirleach to the Committee September 2023 Page 2 of 22 Page 3 of 22 Page 3 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Introduction and Witnesses Dáil Sectoral Committees are tasked with the consideration of a number of fixed elements of the annual parliamentary budgetary cycle that fall within their remit.
This report will focus on the Public Service Performance Report 2022.

The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands engages with the Department of Social Protection to examine the spending allocations and associated outputs in this regard.

It is an ongoing opportunity for the Committee to make the process more transparent and to engage in a meaningful way on the parliamentary budget cycle.
The 2016 OECD ‘Review of Budget Oversight by Parliament: Ireland’1 (2016) highlighted the requirement to provide enhanced performance information to support the Oireachtas in assessing both the outputs and outcomes generated from public expenditure.

As the REV is published prior to the end of the year, outturn information is not available for the current year and only targets can be published.
This then means that Oireachtas Committees do not have relevant outturn data related to performance available to them, to enable them to scrutinise performance in the preceding year.

The Public Service Performance Report (PSPR) is designed to address this shortfall.

As part of the Committee’s work on performance indicators, it is hoped that the Committee can collaborate with the Departments in the coming year on the targets it selects to appear in the Public Service Performance Report.
Scrutiny of these measures will play a pivotal role in the Committee’s consideration of revised estimates and PSPR 2023.

Performance-based budgeting aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure by linking the funding of public sector organisations to the results they deliver, making systematic use of performance information.
The key output of this project is a framework to tag and track all areas of public expenditure against dimensions of Equality, wellbeing, sustainable development goals and green budgeting.
1 Report available here Page 4 of 22 Page 4 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Introduction and Witnesses Date Witnesses Dáil Sectoral Committees are tasked with the consideration of a number of fixed elements of the annual parliamentary budgetary cycle that fall within their remit.
This report will focus on the Public Service Performance Report 2022.

The Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands engages with the Department of Social Protection to examine the spending allocations and associated outputs in this regard.

It is an ongoing opportunity for the Committee to make the process more transparent and to engage in a meaningful way on the parliamentary budget cycle.
The 2016 OECD ‘Review of Budget Oversight by Parliament: Ireland’1 (2016) highlighted the requirement to provide enhanced performance information to support the Oireachtas in assessing both the outputs and outcomes generated from public expenditure.

As the REV is published prior to the end of the year, outturn information is not available for the current year and only targets can be published.
This then means that Oireachtas Committees do not have relevant outturn data related to performance available to them, to enable them to scrutinise performance in the preceding year.

The Public Service Performance Report (PSPR) is designed to address this shortfall.
As part of the Committee’s work on performance indicators, it is hoped that the Performance-based budgeting aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of public expenditure by linking the funding of public sector organisations to the results they deliver, making systematic use of performance information.
The key output of this project is a framework to tag and track all areas of public expenditure against dimensions of Equality, wellbeing, sustainable development goals and green and PSPR 2023. budgeting.

1 Report available here 5th July 2023 Officials from the Department of Social Protection • Mr Niall Egan – Assistant Secretary General, Corporate Affairs.

• Mr Alan Flynn – Principal Officer, Estimates and EU funding compliance.

• Mr Dermot Corcoran, Principal Officer, Business Intelligence.
Key Issues In the course of the meeting with officials on 5 July, the following issues came to the fore; Data and statistics produced by the Department, output data relating to certain schemes, the departments deprivation index and the possibility of breaking down the statistics provided on an urban and rural basis.
Following this meeting, the Department of Social Protection issued correspondence to the Committee regarding issues brought up during the meeting, that the Members requested additional information on.

Committee can collaborate with the Departments in the coming year on the targets it The Department’s Annual Statistical Report 2022 selects to appear in the Public Service Performance Report.
Scrutiny of these measures will play a pivotal role in the Committee’s consideration of revised estimates The 2022 Department of Social Protection Statistical report has been published in recent weeks and is available online on the Government website.2 Supplementary Welfare Allowance/Additonal Needs Payments Statistics As mentioned at the meeting of the Joint Committee, the Department now publishes a quarterly statistical report.3 Additional statistics, including those on Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) have been included in this report since Quarter 1.
The most recent Quarterly statistical report for 2 Statistical Information on Social Welfare Services – Annual Report 2022.

Page 11.

Available here.

3 Quarterly Statistics available here.

Page 4 of 22 Page 5 of 22 Page 5 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Quarter 2, 2023, incorporating the latest Additional Needs Payment figures was published last month.
Data which underpins the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) In relation to the queries concerning the data, which underpins the CSO’s Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC), the data collection period for SILC 2022 was January to June 2022 (for the deprivation questions), while the income reference period is the previous calendar year (covering January to December 2021).

The latter is used to calculate the At Risk of Poverty rate for Ireland.
As the income reference period is the 2021 calendar year, this means that the impact of Budgets 2022 and 2023, and the range of cost-of-living measures that have been introduced by Government in late 2022 and earlier this year are not reflected in the income related data contained in the SILC 2022 release.4 Following the receipt of the additional information from the Department of Social Protection, the Members of the Committee issued correspondence to the Department requesting clarification on the following questions, to which the Department responded.
1.

Can the Department provide any information on the timeline for the review of the Departments targets?

Departmental Response: The Department’s Management Board keeps targets under review on an annual basis, with the next update to the targets scheduled as part of the Revised Estimates Volume process in December this year.

2.

Can the Department provide justification for cases whereby targets have been set for indicators, but these targets have not been met or the outturn data is not available?
Departmental Response: 4 The Central Statistics Office provides further detail on this here.
Page 6 of 22 Page 6 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Quarter 2, 2023, incorporating the latest Additional Needs Payment figures was The key statistical targets for DSP in the PSPR are the At Risk of Poverty statistics published last month.

published by the CSO as part of the SILC.


Data which underpins the Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) The national consistent poverty rate as measured by the 2022 Survey of Income and In relation to the queries concerning the data, which underpins the CSO’s Survey on Living Conditions (SILC) is 5.3%.

This equates to just over 270,000 people based on Income and Living Conditions (SILC), the data collection period for SILC 2022 was the CSO population estimate for 2022.
This is an increase on the 2021 national January to June 2022 (for the deprivation questions), while the income reference consistent poverty rate which was 4%, which equated to just over 200,000 people period is the previous calendar year (covering January to December 2021).

The latter based on the CSO population estimate for 2020.

It is disappointing to see a break in is used to calculate the At Risk of Poverty rate for Ireland.
As the income reference the downward trend in the consistent poverty rate, which had fallen each year from its period is the 2021 calendar year, this means that the impact of Budgets 2022 and peak of 9% in 2013.
2023, and the range of cost-of-living measures that have been introduced by Government in late 2022 and earlier this year are not reflected in the income related data contained in the SILC 2022 release.4 The At Risk of Poverty rate is a relative income poverty measure, tracking the national equivalised median income as it rises and falls.

For a person to be assessed as at risk of poverty their equivalised income must be lower than 60% of this median value.
This Following the receipt of the additional information from the Department of Social means that an individual could be classified as at-risk-of-poverty when incomes in Protection, the Members of the Committee issued correspondence to the Department general rise, without any change in their actual income.

The At Risk of Poverty rate is requesting clarification on the following questions, to which the Department 13.1% from the 2022 SILC.

This equates to just over 668,000 people.


This is an increase on the At Risk of Poverty rate from the 2021 SILC, which was 11.6%, but is about the same level as reported in 2020 (13.2%).

The 2022 SILC data show that social transfers (excluding pensions) performed well in reducing the at-risk-of-poverty rate, from 36.7% before social transfers to 13.1% after social transfers.

This equated to a poverty reduction effect of 65% in 2022.
The increase in the key poverty indicators is due to several factors, including: process in December this year.

• There has been an increase in the nominal median incomes in the State.

This, however, has had the knock-on impact of increasing the at risk of poverty threshold from €15,158 to €15,754.

This means that people can be on the same income levels as before, but fall below the at risk of poverty threshold, as it is a relative income measure.
In this regard it is noteworthy that the anchored at risk of poverty rate from the 2022 survey is 9.1% compared to 9% in 2021 and 13.2% in 2020.

The anchored measure is an inflation adjusted measure using 2020 as the base year.

The reduction in the anchored measure indicates that the increase in the At 1.

Can the Department provide any information on the timeline for the review of responded.

the Departments targets?


Departmental Response: The Department’s Management Board keeps targets under review on an annual basis, with the next update to the targets scheduled as part of the Revised Estimates Volume 2.

Can the Department provide justification for cases whereby targets have been set for indicators, but these targets have not been met or the outturn data is not available?

Departmental Response: 4 The Central Statistics Office provides further detail on this here.
Page 6 of 22 Page 7 of 22 Page 7 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Risk of Poverty measure from the 2022 survey was driven, in the main, by the increase in median incomes against which all incomes are compared.

• Increases in the cost of living in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine would likely impact on deprivation levels.
It is important to note the data collection period for SILC 2022 was January to June 2022 (for the deprivation questions) while the income reference period is the previous calendar year (January-December 2021).

Accordingly, the impact of Budgets 2022 and 2023, and the range of cost-of-living measures introduced by Government are not reflected in the incomes data or the at risk of poverty/consistent poverty statistics contained in this SILC release.
In relation to the Pensions programme area, all output targets were achieved, however as described above the key impact indicators disimproved year on year between 2021 and 2022 due to an increase in poverty levels.

In relation to the Working Age programmes, processing time targets were met, whilst employment support claim numbers delivered were lower than the target.
Taken together this data reflects the improvement in the performance of the Irish economy and the corresponding strong increase in employment over the period.

In relation to the Illness, Disability & Caring programme area, processing time targets were met except for Invalidity Pensions and Domiciliary Care Allowance.

For Invalidity Pensions, the average processing time in 2022 was 7 weeks, however, this has improved to 6 weeks by April 2023.
Operational responsibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance moved within the Department during Quarter 2 2022, briefly impacting service delivery during this period.

However, processing times quickly improved and the average percentage of Domiciliary Care Allowance claims to award within processing time standards in 2022 Q4 was 94.8%.
Illness Benefit claim processing performance recovered significantly between 2021 and 2022, despite significant increases in people applying for enhanced Covid-19 Illness Benefit over the period.

This improvement was due to huge efforts on the part of the Illness Benefit team.
Key Page 8 of 22 Page 8 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Risk of Poverty measure from the 2022 survey was driven, in the main, by the impact indicators disimproved between 2021 and 2022 due to an increase in poverty increase in median incomes against which all incomes are compared.

levels.
levels.

• Increases in the cost of living in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine would likely impact on deprivation levels.

In relation to the Children programme area, outputs achieved were close to target, whilst all key poverty impact targets in this area disimproved year on year.
The average number of weeks for a domestic Child Benefit new claim to be processed from birth It is important to note the data collection period for SILC 2022 was January to June registration to decision is 3 to 4 weeks and the number of claims on hand at each 2022 (for the deprivation questions) while the income reference period is the previous month end is the equivalent to 3-4 weeks workload.

As Child Benefit is a monthly paid calendar year (January-December 2021).
Accordingly, the impact of Budgets 2022 scheme this means the vast majority of claims are processed before the second and 2023, and the range of cost-of-living measures introduced by Government are not payment is due.

In 2022 there was a 34% increase in claims from families entering or reflected in the incomes data or the at risk of poverty/consistent poverty statistics returning to Ireland.

These claims are slower to process and led to a temporary increase in processing times.
The increase in these claims can be attributed to the movement of persons after the Covid-19 restrictions have been removed.

Processing times and pending claim figures are at normal levels now.

Please note that the 34% increase excludes the 12,000 Temporary Protection Ukrainian Child Benefit claims that were also processed in 2022.

In relation to the Supplementary Payments programme area, output targets were substantially achieved, whilst key poverty impact targets disimproved between 2021 and 2022.

3.
3.

Can the Department provide the Committee with the statistics relating to supplementary welfare allowance, in terms of outputs?

Departmental Response: improved to 6 weeks by April 2023.
Operational responsibility for Domiciliary Care As mentioned at the Committee, the Department now publishes a quarterly statistical Allowance moved within the Department during Quarter 2 2022, briefly impacting report.5 Additional statistics, including those on Supplementary Welfare Allowance / Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) have been included in this report since Quarter 1, 2023.
The most recent Quarterly statistical report for Quarter 2, 2023, incorporating the latest Additional Needs Payment figures was published last month and is available at the above link for the information of the Committee members.

A hard copy of the 5 Quarterly Statistical Report.

Available here.

Page 8 of 22 Page 9 of 22 Page 9 of 22 contained in this SILC release.
In relation to the Pensions programme area, all output targets were achieved, however as described above the key impact indicators disimproved year on year between 2021 and 2022 due to an increase in poverty levels.

In relation to the Working Age programmes, processing time targets were met, whilst employment support claim numbers delivered were lower than the target.
Taken together this data reflects the improvement in the performance of the Irish economy and the corresponding strong increase in employment over the period.

In relation to the Illness, Disability & Caring programme area, processing time targets were met except for Invalidity Pensions and Domiciliary Care Allowance.

For Invalidity Pensions, the average processing time in 2022 was 7 weeks, however, this has service delivery during this period.
However, processing times quickly improved and the average percentage of Domiciliary Care Allowance claims to award within processing time standards in 2022 Q4 was 94.8%.

Illness Benefit claim processing performance recovered significantly between 2021 and 2022, despite significant increases in people applying for enhanced Covid-19 Illness Benefit over the period.

This improvement was due to huge efforts on the part of the Illness Benefit team.
Key PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Department’s latest quarterly statistics report will also be sent to the members of the Committee with a copy of the Department’s recently published Annual Statistical Report 2022.

4.

Can the Department provide why the reported deprivation index excludes those who are employed?
Departmental response: The CSO is responsible for the measurement of poverty and deprivation using their at risk of poverty, consistent poverty and deprivation indices.

The Department then uses these indices to assess the impact of social welfare payments in terms of poverty alleviation and deprivation mitigation for those who are retired, are unemployed or are unable to work due to illness or disability.
The measures chosen by the Department for the working age income and employment supports were chosen to align performance of these schemes with the commitments and aims of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion.

The CSO deprivation index does provide a breakdown by principal economic status including those who are employed.6 5.

Is it possible to break down the statistics on an urban and rural basis?
Departmental Response: The Department provides detailed breakdown of recipients by scheme at county level in its Annual Statistical Report.

Conclusion As part of the Committee’s work on performance indicators, it is hoped that we can collaborate with the Department of Social Protection in the coming year on the targets selected to appear in the performance report.
Scrutiny of these measures will play a pivotal role in the committee’s consideration of the Revised Estimates and the Public Service Performance Report for 2023.

6 This breakdown is available here.
Page 10 of 22 Page 10 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Department’s latest quarterly statistics report will also be sent to the members of the Committee with a copy of the Department’s recently published Annual Statistical APPENDIX 1 – Orders of Reference Scope and context of activities of Select Committees (DSO 94 and 4.
Can the Department provide why the reported deprivation index excludes SSO 70) DSO 94 1) The Dáil may appoint a Select Committee to consider and, if so permitted, to take evidence upon any Bill, Estimate or matter, and to report its opinion for the information and assistance of the Dáil.
Such motion shall specifically state the orders of reference of the Committee, define the powers devolved upon it, fix the number of members to serve on it, state the quorum, and may appoint a date upon which the Committee shall report back to the Dáil.
2) It shall be an instruction to each Select Committee that – a) It may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers, and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders; b) Such matters, activities, powers, and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Dáil; c) It shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 125(1); and d) It shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated reasons given in writing, by – i.
A member of the Government or a Minister of State, or ii.

The principal office – holder of a state body within the responsibility of a Government Department or iii.

The principal officer – holder of a non – State body which is partly funded by the State, Page 10 of 22 Page 11 of 22 Page 11 of 22 Report 2022. those who are employed?

Departmental response: The CSO is responsible for the measurement of poverty and deprivation using their at risk of poverty, consistent poverty and deprivation indices.
The Department then uses these indices to assess the impact of social welfare payments in terms of poverty alleviation and deprivation mitigation for those who are retired, are unemployed or are unable to work due to illness or disability.

The measures chosen by the Department for the working age income and employment supports were chosen to align performance of these schemes with the commitments and aims of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion.
The CSO deprivation index does provide a breakdown by principal economic status including those who are employed.6 5.

Is it possible to break down the statistics on an urban and rural basis?

The Department provides detailed breakdown of recipients by scheme at county level in Departmental Response: its Annual Statistical Report.
Conclusion As part of the Committee’s work on performance indicators, it is hoped that we can collaborate with the Department of Social Protection in the coming year on the targets selected to appear in the performance report.

Scrutiny of these measures will play a pivotal role in the committee’s consideration of the Revised Estimates and the Public Service Performance Report for 2023.

6 This breakdown is available here.


PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Provided that the Committee may appeal any such request made to the Ceann Comhairle, whose decision shall be final.
3) It shall be an instruction to all Select Committees to which Bills are referred that they shall ensure that not more than two Select Committees shall meet to consider a Bill on any given day, unless the Dáil after due notice to the Business Committee by a Chairman of one of the Select Committees concerned, waives this instruction.
SSO 70 1) The Seanad may appoint a Select Committee to consider any Bill or matter and to report its opinion for the information and assistance of the Seanad and, in the case of a Bill, whether or not it has amended the Bill.

Such motion shall specifically state the orders of reference of the Committee, define the powers devolved upon it, fix the number of members to serve on it, state the quorum thereof, and may appoint a date upon which the Committee shall report back to the Seanad.
2) It shall be an instruction to each Select Committee that – a) It may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers, and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders; b) Such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Seanad; c) It shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 108 (1); and Page 12 of 22 Page 12 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 3) It shall be an instruction to all Select Committees to which Bills are referred that they shall ensure that not more than two Select Committees shall meet to consider a Bill on any given day, unless the Dáil after due notice to the Business Committee by a Chairman of one of the Select Committees concerned, waives this instruction.
SSO 70 and to report its opinion for the information and assistance of the Seanad and, in the case of a Bill, whether or not it has amended the Bill.

Such motion shall specifically state the orders of reference of the Committee, define the powers devolved upon it, fix the number of members to serve on it, state the quorum thereof, and may appoint a date upon which the Committee shall report back to the Seanad.
2) It shall be an instruction to each Select Committee that – a) It may only consider such matters, engage in such activities, exercise such powers, and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under its orders of reference and under Standing Orders; b) Such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Seanad; c) It shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Joint Committee on Public Petitions in the exercise of its functions under Standing Order 108 (1); and An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 Provided that the Committee may appeal any such request made to the Ceann d) It shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing Comhairle, whose decision shall be final.
confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated 1) The Seanad may appoint a Select Committee to consider any Bill or matter Cathaoirleach, whose decision shall be final.

reasons given in writing, by – i.

A member of the Government or a Minister of State, or ii.

The principal officeholder of a State body within the responsibility of a Government Department, or iii.
The principal officeholder of a non-State body which is partly funded by the State, Provided that the Committee may appeal any such request made to the Functions of Departmental Select Committees (DSO 95 and SSO 71) DSO 95 1) The Dáil may appoint a Departmental Select Committee to consider and, unless otherwise provided for in these Standing Orders or by order, to report to the Dáil on any matter relating to— a) legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of― i. a Government Department, and ii.
State bodies within the responsibility of such Department, and b) That performance of a non – State body in relation to an agreement for the provision of services that it has entered into with any such Government Department or State body.

2) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also consider such other matters which – a) Stand referred to the Committee by virtue of these Standing Orders or statute law, or b) Shall be referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
Page 12 of 22 Page 13 of 22 Page 13 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance, expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be – a) For the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and b) To assess the performance of the relevant Government Department or of a State body within the responsibility of the relevant Department, in delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including value for money.
4) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall not consider any matter relating to accounts audited by, or reports of, the Comptroller and Auditor General unless the Committee of Public Accounts – a) Consents to such consideration, or b) Has reported on such accounts or reports.
5) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann to be and act as a Joint Committee for the purposes of paragraph (1) and such other purposes as may be specified in these Standing Orders or by order of the Dáil: provided that the Joint Committee shall not consider – a) The Committee Stage of a Bill, b) Estimates for Public Services, or c) A proposal contained in a motion for the approval of an international agreement involving a charge upon public funds referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
6) Any report that the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by the Joint Committee, be made to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

7) The Chairman of the Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also be Chairman of the Joint Committee.
Page 14 of 22 Page 14 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance, expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be – 8) Where a Select Committee proposes to consider – a) For the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee b) To assess the performance of the relevant Government Department or under Standing Order 133, including the compliance of such acts with of a State body within the responsibility of the relevant Department, in the principal of subsidiarity, delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including b) Other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including value for money.
programmes, and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative action, 4) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall not c) Non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to consider any matter relating to accounts audited by, or reports of, the EU policy matters, or Comptroller and Auditor General unless the Committee of Public Accounts – d) Matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the a) Consents to such consideration, or b) Has reported on such accounts or reports.
5) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad Éireann to be and act as a Joint Committee for the purposes of paragraph (1) and such other purposes relevant Council (of Ministers) of the European Union and the outcome of such meetings, The following may be notified accordingly and shall have the right to attend and take part in such consideration without having a right to move motions or amendments or the right to vote: i.
Members of the European Parliament elected from as may be specified in these Standing Orders or by order of the Dáil: provided constituencies in Ireland, ii.

Members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and iii.

At the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.
c) A proposal contained in a motion for the approval of an international agreement involving a charge upon public funds referred to the 9) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may, in respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within the policy remit of the relevant Department consider – 6) Any report that the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by a) Such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be the Joint Committee, be made to both Houses of the Oireachtas.
referred to the Committee, and b) Such Ombudsman reports laid before either or both Houses of the 7) The Chairman of the Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Oireachtas as the Committee may select: Provided that the provisions Order shall also be Chairman of the Joint Committee.
of Standing Order 130 apply where the Select Committee has not Page 14 of 22 Page 15 of 22 Page 15 of 22 that the Joint Committee shall not consider – a) The Committee Stage of a Bill, b) Estimates for Public Services, or Committee by order of the Dáil.
PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter, or summer recess periods) of the report being laid before either of both Houses of the Oireachtas.
SSO 71 1) The Seanad may appoint a Departmental Select Committee to consider and, unless otherwise provided for in these Standing Orders or by order, to report to the Seanad on any matter relating to – a) Legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of – i.

A Government Department, and ii.


State bodies within the responsibility of such Department, and b) The performance of a non – State body in relation to an agreement for the provision of services that it has entered into with any such Government Department or State body.
2) A select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also consider such other matters which – a) Stand referred to the Committee by virtue of these Standing Orders or statute law, or b) Shall be referred to the Committee by order of the Seanad.
3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be – a) For the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and b) To assess the performance of the relevant Department, in delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including value for money.

Page 16 of 22 Page 16 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 Oireachtas.
SSO 71 1) The Seanad may appoint a Departmental Select Committee to consider and, unless otherwise provided for in these Standing Orders or by order, to report to the Seanad on any matter relating to – i.

A Government Department, and ii.

State bodies within the responsibility of such Department, and b) The performance of a non – State body in relation to an agreement for the provision of services that it has entered into with any such Government Department or State body.
2) A select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall also consider such other matters which – a) Stand referred to the Committee by virtue of these Standing Orders or statute law, or An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, 4) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order shall not within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter, or summer recess consider any matter relating to accounts audited by, or reports of, the periods) of the report being laid before either of both Houses of the Comptroller and Auditor General unless the Committee of Public Accounts – a) Legislation, policy, governance, expenditure and administration of – that the Joint Committee shall not consider – a) Consents to such consideration, or b) Has reported on such accounts or reports 5) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Dáil Éireann to be and act as a Joint Committee for the purposes of paragraph (1) and such other purposes as may be specified in these Standing Orders or by order of the Seanad: provided a) The Committee Stage of a Bill, b) Estimate for Public Services, or c) A proposal contained in a motion for the approval of an international agreement involving a charge upon public funds referred to the Committee by order of the Dáil.
6) Any report that the Joint Committee proposes to make shall, on adoption by the Joint Committee, be made to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

7) The Chairman of a Joint Committee pursuant to this Standing Order shall be a b) Shall be referred to the Committee by order of the Seanad.

member of Dáil Éireann.


3) The principal purpose of Committee consideration of matters of policy, governance expenditure and administration under paragraph (1) shall be – 8) Where a Select Committee proposes to consider – a) For the accountability of the relevant Minister or Minister of State, and b) To assess the performance of the relevant Department, in delivering public services while achieving intended outcomes, including value for money.
a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee under Standing Orde 116, including the compliance of such acts with the principal of subsidiarity, b) Other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including programmes and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative action, Page 16 of 22 Page 17 of 22 Page 17 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 c) Non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to EU policy matters, or d) Matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union and the outcome of such meetings, The following may be notified accordingly and shall have the right to attend and take part in such consideration without having a right to move motions or amendments or the right to vote: i.
Members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland, ii.

Members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and iii.

At the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.
9) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may, in respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within the policy remit of the relevant Department consider – a) Such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be referred to the Committee, and b) Such Ombudsman reported laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Committee may select: Provided that the provisions of Standing Order 113 apply where the Select Committee has not considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter or summer recess periods) of the report being laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Powers of Select Committees (DSO 96 and SSO 72) Unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, a Committee appointed pursuant to these Standing Orders shall have the following powers: Page 18 of 22 Page 18 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 c) Non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to 1) Power to invite and receive oral and written evidence and to print and publish EU policy matters, or from time to time – d) Matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union and the outcome of such meetings, The following may be notified accordingly and shall have the right to attend and take part in such consideration without having a right to move motions or amendments or the right to vote: a) Minutes of such evidence as was heard in public, and b) Such evidence in writing as the Committee thinks fit; 2) Power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the i.
Members of the European Parliament elected from Dáil/Seanad; constituencies in Ireland, ii.

Members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly 3) Power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new of the Council of Europe, and iii.

At the invitation of the Committee, other members of the European Parliament.
9) A Select Committee appointed pursuant to this Standing Order may, in legislation; 4) In relation to any statutory instrument, including those laid or laid in draft before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, power to – respect of any Ombudsman charged with oversight of public services within a) Require any Government Department or other instrument-making the policy remit of the relevant Department consider – authority concerned to – i.
Submit a memorandum to the Select Committee explaining the a) Such motions relating to the appointment of an Ombudsman as may be statutory instrument, or referred to the Committee, and b) Such Ombudsman reported laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas as the Committee may select: Provided that the provisions of Standing Order 113 apply where the Select Committee has not considered the Ombudsman report, or a portion or portions thereof, within two months (excluding Christmas, Easter or summer recess periods) of the report being laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas.
Powers of Select Committees (DSO 96 and SSO 72) Unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, a Committee appointed pursuant to these Standing Orders shall have the following powers: ii.
Attend a meeting of the Select Committee to explain any such statutory instrument: Provided that the authority concerned may decline to attend for reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil/Seanad, and b) Recommend, where it considers that such action is warranted, that the instrument should be annulled or amended; 5) Power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss – a) Policy, or Page 18 of 22 Page 19 of 22 Page 19 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 b) Proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published), For which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy or proposed legislation; 6) Power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee and provide, in private session if so requested by the attendee, oral briefings in advance of meetings of the relevant EC Council (of Ministers) of the European Union to enable the Select Committee to make known its views: Provided that the Committee may also require such attendance following such meetings; 7) Power to require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role; 8) Power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State who is officially responsible for the implementation of an Act shall attend before a Select
 Committee in relation to the consideration of a report under DSO 197/ SSO 168; 9) Subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power, to require that principal officeholders of a – a) State body within the responsibility of a Government Department or b) Non-State body, which is partly funded by the State, Page 20 of 22 Page 20 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 Public Service Performance Report for the Department of Social Protection 2022 b) Proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation Shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss being published), issues for which they are officially responsible: Provided that such an officeholder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the For which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil/Seanad; and 10) Power to – a) Engage the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and b) Undertake travel; Provided that the powers under this paragraph are subject to such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under DSO 120 (4)(a)/SSO 107 (4)(a) Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing
 to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy or proposed legislation; 6) Power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee and provide, in private session if so requested by the attendee, oral briefings in advance of meetings of the relevant EC Council (of
 Ministers) of the European Union to enable the Select Committee to make known its views: Provided that the Committee may also require such attendance following such meetings; 7) Power to require that the Chairperson designate of a body or agency under the aegis of a Department shall, prior to his or her appointment, attend before the Select Committee to discuss his or her strategic priorities for the role; 8) Power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State who is officially responsible for the implementation of an Act shall attend before a Select Committee in relation to the consideration of a report under DSO 197/ SSO 168; 9) Subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power, to require that principal officeholders of a – a) State body within the responsibility of a Government Department or b) Non-State body, which is partly funded by the State, Page 20 of 22 Page 21 of 22 Page 21 of 22 PUBLIC SERVICE PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION 2022 An Tuarascáil Feidhmíochta Seirbhíse Poiblí don Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí, 2022 APPENDIX 2 – Links to Meeting Transcripts Joint Committee meeting with Officials from the Department of Social Protection 5th July 2023 Meeting transcript available here.
APPENDIX 3 – Links to Opening Statements Joint Committee meeting with Officials from the Department of Social Protection Mr Niall Egan, Assistant Secretary General, Opening statement available here.

Corporate Affairs Page 22 of 22 Page 22 of 22 AN TUARASCÁIL FEIDHMÍOCHTA SEIRBHÍSE POIBLÍ DON ROINN COIMIRCE SÓISIALAÍ, 2022 Tithe an Oireachtais Teach Laighean Sráid Chill Dara Baile Átha Cliath 2 D02 XR20 www.oireachtas.ie Guthán: +353 (0)1 6183000 Twitter: @OireachtasNews Déan ceangal linn Íoslódáil an Aip