Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 to 26, inclusive, together.

The economic policy unit is part of the economic division of the Department. The unit assists me, as Taoiseach, in delivering sustainable and balanced economic growth and advancing the Government’s economic priorities. The unit also advises me on a broad range of economic policy areas and issues and provides me with briefing and speech material on economic and related policy issues. It assists the delivery of the Government’s economic commitments as outlined in the programme for Government, especially where these are cross-cutting issues affecting multiple Departments. In particular, it assists the work of the Cabinet committee on the economy and investment, which is chaired by the Tánaiste, and several related senior official groups.

The unit is also responsible for co-ordinating Ireland’s participation in the European semester process, the annual cycle of economic and fiscal policy co-ordination among EU member states. This includes preparing each year the national reform programme for submission to the European Commission. The national reform programme provides an overview of economic reforms and policy actions under way in Ireland, including in response to country-specific recommendations received. The unit is also responsible for liaison with the Central Statistics Office.

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