The Government has launched a new National Financial Literacy Strategy aimed at strengthening people’s ability to manage money, avoid scams, and make informed financial decisions, with more than 100 measures set out in the plan.
The initiative places strong emphasis on fraud prevention, pension awareness, savings behaviour and investment education, as policymakers respond to growing concerns about financial vulnerability and misinformation. A key feature of the strategy is guidance on pension auto-enrolment, designed to help workers better understand retirement planning and long-term savings.
Officials said the plan is intended to improve financial resilience across all age groups, with particular attention given to education settings. Schools and colleges will play a central role in delivering financial literacy programmes, supported by €200,000 in funding allocated to projects that aim to build money management skills from an early stage.
The strategy was formally launched at an event by Tánaiste and Minister for Finance Simon Harris, who described financial literacy as essential to ensuring people can take full advantage of new economic opportunities while protecting themselves from financial harm.
Harris also outlined plans for a new Personal Investment Account, which is expected to be introduced in the coming budget cycle. The proposed scheme is intended to simplify access to investment products and make the process more transparent and accessible to the public.
He said legislation for the investment accounts would be brought forward in 2026, with the aim of making the accounts available from 2027. The proposal forms part of wider efforts to encourage greater participation in investment markets and broaden the range of financial tools available to individuals.
However, Harris noted that legislative changes alone would not be sufficient to drive uptake. He said public confidence and understanding would be key to ensuring people make informed choices, highlighting the need for clear information and trusted guidance.
The strategy also includes measures to raise awareness of financial fraud and scams, which continue to pose risks to consumers in an increasingly digital financial environment. Authorities say improved education and communication will be central to reducing exposure to fraudulent schemes.
Officials believe the combined approach of education, regulation and new financial products will help build a more financially informed population, better equipped to navigate savings, pensions and investment decisions in the years ahead.
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