163. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 367 of 24 March 2026, to provide an update on the latest details and progress of national discussions in relation to the next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework, in the context of outlining Government’s priorities in this regard, to explain the absence of any mention of the European Social Fund in his response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53931/26]

Negotiations have been ongoing at EU-level on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034 since July 2025. These negotiations will intensify in the second half of this year. As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland has assumed the Presidency of the European Council for the second half of 2026. As such, Ireland will act as an honest broker for the negotiations: facilitating discussions between Member States, European Institutions and other stakeholders, in order to support progress towards agreement on the next MFF.

My colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and I in my role as Minister for Finance have jointly lead in relation to the MFF. I update Government regularly on negotiations, in close cooperation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence, who will chair the General Affairs Council where the MFF is centrally negotiated.

The June 2026 European Council conclusions call on "the Irish Presidency to take the work forward on the Negotiating Box by the October European Council, with a view to a timely agreement."

As set out in my response to the Deputy on 24 March, Ireland’s priorities for the next MFF have been stressed throughout the MFF negotiations. These listed priorities – such as a strong and ring-fenced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the maintenance of the PEACEPLUS – do not negate the importance of dedicated funding to the measures that the European Social Fund (ESF) supports.

While this matter remains under negotiation, I can assure the Deputy that the objectives traditionally supported by the ESF – promoting employment, social, education and skills policies – remain an important consideration for Ireland.

That said, this should not be taken as prejudging the outcome of negotiations on the next MFF or the final architecture of the EU budget. Ireland's aim is to hand over a sufficiently advanced negotiating box to the President of the European Council, so that EU leaders can take the necessary decisions about the Union's future financing in 2026.