Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together.

The well-being framework is a programme for Government commitment to measure how we are doing overall as a country and a nation and to improve our understanding of quality of life in Ireland. It does so by bringing economic, societal and environmental impacts together under one framework. It also places a particular focus on equality and sustaining well-being into the future.

The Government published a second report on Ireland's well-being framework earlier this month, Understanding Life in Ireland: A Well-being Framework. This report reflects a second phase of work on the well-being initiative, testing and refining the initial framework which was published last year. This included further consultation, seeking feedback on what is important for quality of life alongside specific research, including on sustainability. The second report also outlines the longer term approach to embedding the framework into the Irish policymaking system over time. This includes the development of an analysis of the well-being dashboard, which will be reflected annually in the budget process.

As a first step, a report reviewing Ireland's performance across the 35 indicators contained in the Central Statistics Office's, Well-being Information Hub was published alongside the second report which provides a medium-term picture of quality of life in Ireland.

Feeding into the budget process commences this year. Last week the well-being framework was a theme at the national economic dialogue, with a specific breakout discussion chaired by the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath. The analysis will feature in the summer economic statement and as part of budget day documents.

The framework is intended to help inform policymakers in order that we can take a rounded view, based on evidence, of what determines quality of life in Ireland, beyond just economic growth.

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