The Taoiseach:

Gabhaim buíochas le Cathaoirleach agus comhaltaí an chomhchoiste as an deis seo teacht os a gcomhair chun míreanna atá faoi chúram Roinn an Taoisigh a phlé. Léiríonn tosaíochtaí Roinn an Taoisigh ról lárnach na Roinne maidir leis an obair ar fud an Rialtais chun gealltanais an chlár Rialtais a chur i bhfeidhm, atá mar bhonn faoi gheilleagar inbhuanaithe, sochaí rathúil agus leasanna na tíre seo thar lear.

I thank the Chair and committee for the opportunity to appear before the joint committee to discuss items within the remit of the Department of the Taoiseach. The priorities of the Department of the Taoiseach reflect the central role of the Department in working across Government to implement programme for Government commitments, underpinning a sustainable economy, a successful society and the pursuit of this country's interests abroad. Both our economy and society have shown remarkable resilience in recent years despite what might seem like never-ending challenges. We have enjoyed a period of strong growth, with exceptional economic performance and job creation. Just under 2.8 million people are at work.

We now find ourselves again at a time of considerable uncertainty. As a small open economy, there are many risks outside of our control. International decisions on trade policy will potentially harm our economy and those of our main exporter partners, both directly and indirectly. The European Commission is fully engaged in discussions with the United States. A negotiated solution is clearly the goal and preferred outcome, and we will do what we can to support this. We remain hopeful that harmful and destructive steps can be avoided but we must also actively prepare if that is not to be the case.

Well-considered policy, allied to the efficient delivery of investments and services, can provide a predictable and reliable response to international developments. From the Government's perspective, our policy response must focus on controlling the controllables and ensuring we maintain our relative competitiveness while also delivering investment in future productivity and, with it, prosperity. A new Government action plan on competitiveness and productivity will be published shortly to ensure that this is a central focus of our efforts. This plan will cover industrial policy, reducing the cost and regulatory burden on business, investing in infrastructure, digital regulation and reform, energy reform, international trade, and research and development and innovation.

In the coming years, we will continue to make significant investment in our infrastructure and in energy and skills required to ensure our future competitiveness and productivity. The housing and infrastructure unit in the Department of the Taoiseach supports the work of the Government to develop, deliver and implement policies and programmes relating to housing and infrastructure. The Government is committed to increasing the supply of housing and the availability and affordability of homes. This is our number one social and economic issue.

A record level of investment has been provided for the delivery of housing in 2025, with overall capital funding of €6.5 billion available, which will increase, supplemented by a further €1.65 billion in current funding to address housing needs. However, we know that we need to do more to meet the demands of our citizens over the coming years. That is why we are putting in train fundamental changes and measures which will give us a sustainable housing system in the future. We have already taken many important decisions which will bring about fundamental change. These include expanding the remit of the Land Development Agency, regulating short-term lets, planning reform such as the establishment of An Coimisiún Pleanála, extending expiring planning permissions, reforming rent pressure zones, and establishing the new housing activation office. All of these measures and more demonstrate our determination to act with urgency, to make difficult decisions and to drive the reforms that are essential. More will come as we finalise the national development plan and the new housing plan, which will set the pathway for housing delivery over the lifetime of this Government.

Supported by the Department of the Taoiseach, the Cabinet committee on infrastructure oversees our programme for Government commitments relating to infrastructure delivery. Its work reflects the importance that Government is placing on this issue. It also has a role in overseeing the review of the national development plan, NDP. Delays in infrastructure delivery directly impact our ability to attract investment and to meet our housing targets. This is why we are prioritising addressing these issues. We need to provide services at scale, such as energy, water and transport, to meet the growing needs of our citizens and support our national competitiveness. These areas are front and centre in our priorities as we review the NDP.

Ireland is experiencing first-hand the growing impacts of climate change. More intense storms, floods, prolonged dry spells and unpredictable weather patterns are becoming the new normal. These changes to our climate system threaten our citizens, businesses, homes and way of life. Supported by the Department of the Taoiseach, the Cabinet committee on climate action, environment and energy oversees implementation of programme for Government commitments relating to the environment, climate action, energy and emergency planning. It considers the wide range of issues that require action in Ireland's transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and sustainable future, in which we will take full advantage of the renewable energy potential that we possess. It also oversees implementation of the climate action plan. The first climate action plan of this Government was approved in April. Officials across the system are already working on the new climate action plan for 2026, which is the next iteration of the climate action plan. That must now focus on meaningful actions and accelerated delivery to help to close the emissions gap that has been identified.

The Government will continue to ensure that Ireland plays a full and effective role in all aspects of the European Union, both promoting and protecting our national interests while contributing to progress and prosperity across the Union. This includes a focus on the Single Market and the trading relationships that underpin continued economic prosperity, while continuing our constructive and ambitious engagement in European and international affairs more broadly in support of the international rules-based order. I will advance this work through my participation in meetings of the European Council, as well as my bilateral meetings with fellow leaders and my direct engagement with the presidents of the European Union institutions.

It is now just under one year from the beginning of Ireland's six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July 2026. This is our eighth time assuming the Presidency. The strength of our political commitment and the resourcing of delivering a successful EU Presidency next year is fully reflected in the programme for Government, as it is essential for Ireland's position, influence and reputation in the European Union and for advancing the Union's agenda against a complex geopolitical background. The Department of the Taoiseach is contributing to whole-of-government preparations for the Presidency, in close consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is co-ordinating work across the Government. The priorities for Ireland's Presidency will be developed over the period ahead in consultation with stakeholders here in Ireland and with our European Union partners. They will reflect the work that is needed to address the common challenges that we face across the Union.

The Government is working extensively to support the successful functioning of all institutions of the Good Friday Agreement and for reconciliation of the different communities and traditions of this island. The summit meeting of the British-Irish Council and a plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council were held in Northern Ireland last month. I will host the next plenary meeting of the North-South Ministerial Council in October. The first in a series of annual United Kingdom-Ireland summits was held on 6 March, in Liverpool. At the summit, Prime Minister Starmer and I agreed a wide-ranging programme of new and enhanced strategic co-operation between Ireland and the United Kingdom, to be taken forward by both Governments through 2030. In April, I launched a new phase of the shared island initiative, setting out the Government's ambitious agenda for building a shared island, backed by our commitment of a further €1 billion to the shared island fund to 2035, to foster reconciliation, mutual respect and growth. Already, in February, the Government announced over €50 million in allocations from the fund to deliver a range of new all-island programmes, including in sustainable tourism, arts and cultural heritage, civil society co-operation, and community-led nature restoration. I have asked all Government Ministers to bring forward further new shared island project proposals to contribute to implementing our commitment to more strategic all-island investment and co-operation over the next five years.

We are also continuing the wide-ranging research and dialogue programmes that inform the shared island initiative. Through our expanded and strengthened shared island initiative, the Government is bringing co-operation and relationships across the island of Ireland to a new level.

I will update the committee on the work of the child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach. This is an important initiative that works to prioritise action across government in areas that will have the greatest impact for children and families experiencing poverty. Tackling child poverty remains a priority for the Government and this is reflected in the programme for Government commitments to explore a targeted child benefit payment and to set an ambitious target to reduce child poverty. Significant progress has been made in recent years on combating child poverty and promoting children’s well-being. Budget 2025 saw the largest ever increase in the weekly child support payment. Measures such as free school meals for all primary schools and free school books are making a difference to children in poverty. Expanded access to early years and the launch of Equal Start is also making an impact. The Government’s ambition is that budget 2026 will build on previous budgets to ensure that the most disadvantaged children and families are prioritised in new spending measures. In the programme for Government, we said that child poverty is not inevitable. I am determined to turn that commitment into actions that will transform lives.

Finally, I would like to turn to disability. This Government is firmly committed to advancing the rights and improving the lives of disabled people. Reflecting this, and to ensure sustained progress on disability issues, I have established a stand-alone Cabinet committee on disability, supported by a new disability unit in my Department. The Cabinet committee will oversee cross-government efforts and collaboration to improve the lives of disabled people, enabling them to achieve their potential. To date, the Cabinet committee has met four times, looking at issues such as service delivery, employment, education pathways and access to assessments and therapy. The Cabinet committee has also considered the new national disability strategy. This ambitious strategy, to be published in the coming weeks, will set out a vision to 2030 and guide our work advancing the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for the benefit of disabled people and our society. In addition to supporting the Cabinet committee, the new disability unit in my Department will drive innovation, troubleshoot where necessary, make sure policies are brought forward that improve quality of life for people with disabilities, develop real momentum in policy implementation and ensure a sustained focus on improving the delivery of services. Many in the various sectors are working hard for people with disabilities, but the system is not delivering to the extent that it needs to. The Government wants to unlock the capacity that already exists, while also building more capacity to put in place models of support and care that work, particularly for children and families. We are also committed to delivering a step change in disability services. While much remains to be done to bring about the service levels we want and people deserve, already we can see some progress, including the new education therapy service, which will see therapists working in special schools in the next school year, and the continued growth in numbers working in the HSE’s children’s disability network teams. I am determined that this Government make real and sustainable progress over the coming years to address the needs and advance the rights of all disabled people and their families.

I thank members for their attention as I outlined the work the Department of the Taoiseach is doing on issues that really matter to the people of Ireland. I am happy to answer any questions that members may have.