Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ireland has adopted a whole-of-government approach to SDG implementation, with each Minister having specific responsibilities for implementing individual SDG goals and targets related to the ministerial functions. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications has responsibility for promoting these SDGs and for overseeing their coherent implementation across government and each Department. How does the homelessness crisis in this country line up with the relevant Minister’s responsibilities regarding the SDGs in this area? What does it say about the oversight of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, who is leaving these people behind? According to an ESRI study published in 2022 and entitled Fuel Poverty in Ireland: An Analysis of Trends and Profiles, almost one quarter of the population is facing further poverty. How can it be that the Minister in charge of overseeing the coherent implementations of SDGs cannot ensure that they are being implemented in his own Department?

I think it was Ms Carmody who mentioned that another pact is coming forward on the SDGs. I would like to know a little bit more about that and what it would entail.