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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 19, inclusive, together.

Ireland submitted its national reform programme, NRP, for 2023 to the European Commission on 4 May. The NRP was also laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas. The NRP is an element of the European semester, the annual cycle of economic and social policy co-ordination among EU member states. As part of the semester, Ireland, along with all other member states, is required to prepare and submit an NRP to the European Commission each year. The NRP provides an overview of economic reforms and policy actions under way in Ireland, including responses to country-specific recommendations received from the Commission. Since 2022, the NRP also reports on implementation of the recovery and resilience facility.

Challenges outlined in Ireland's NRP for 2023 include: housing; climate action and the environment; encouraging participation in the labour market; promoting balanced, fair and inclusive development; and planning for the future and long-term fiscal sustainability. Development of the NRP was co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach, with input from relevant Departments and agencies, drawing on Government strategies such as the national development plan, Project Ireland 2040, Housing for All and the climate action plan. During the programme's preparation, stakeholders were invited to make submissions on the main challenges to be included.

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