Employment and social affairs ministers from throughout Europe are due to attend an informal EU Council meeting in Galway next month.
Ministers from the 15 EU members states and 10 EU accession countries are due to attend the talks on January 16.
The ministers are expected to discuss ways to promote employment and reduce the cost of social welfare systems throughout the EU.
The meeting in Galway will the first of many due to be held throughout Ireland during the country’s six-month presidency of the European Union.