33. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans for a new employment strategy focused on intensive engagement and supports to help those most distant from the labour market into the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31409/26]

74. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the review of the pathways to work scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30725/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 74 together.

My Department continues work to develop the successor Pathways to Work 2026-2030 Strategy, and publish the final annual review of the previous strategy. The new Strategy is due to be published later this year.

Last year my Department conducted a wide-ranging public consultation process as part of the development of the new Pathways to Work. The consultation process sought written public submissions and survey responses, and over 430 submissions were received. 5 regional stakeholder workshops were held in Dublin, Athlone, Galway, Cork and Letterkenny in September 2025.

The workshops were a platform for individuals, employers and community and voluntary groups to provide input on challenges and opportunities in employment policy. Over 110 organisations were represented at these workshops. My Department also undertook intensive engagement with other Government Departments and agencies to ensure alignment across Government and to explore areas for co-operation such as skills development.

The Labour Market Advisory Council (LMAC), which gathers trade union, employer, government and civil society representatives, provides oversight of the strategy and its implementation on an annual basis. It will provide input on the draft successor strategy. In 2023 the Council conducted a Mid-Term Review of the Pathways to Work, which was informed by an analysis of labour market trends, a public consultation process and engagement with relevant Government Departments and agencies.

The LMAC in its review recognised that the labour market and economy had undergone significant transformation since the launch of Pathways to Work in 2021. The review noted that the strong labour market recovery experienced since the re-opening of the economy and historically high employment rates required an updated response.

On foot of the review, an updated Pathways to Work strategy was published in May 2024, with 65 commitments and 28 KPIs to be delivered through the end of the strategy period. The LMAC will publish the fourth and final annual report of the previous Pathways to Work strategy this summer, which ran from 2021-2025.