The Government of Ireland’s Department of Social Protection published the “Annual Report 2024” on 5 August 2025.
The report details the significant work carried out by the Department of Social Protection during the year. In 2024, total expenditure was €26.99 billion. A €2.6 billion package of additional supports was provided under Budget 2025, aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures through a combination of lump sum payments and increases to weekly social protection rates.
The main finding of the report was that there were increased supports for pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and low-income families through the expansion of the School Meals Programme, launch of the School Meals Holiday Hunger pilot and the introduction of the Newborn Baby Grant.
The report is available to download here