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

I propose to take question Nos. 6 to 12, inclusive, together.

The Department of the Taoiseach is continuing to help advance the programme for Government commitments. The priorities set out in the Department's Strategy Statement 2021-2023 reflect the role of the Department to assist me as Taoiseach and the Government to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, pursue Ireland's interests abroad, implement the Government’s programme and build a better future for Ireland and all its citizens. Both the shared island unit and social dialogue unit were established in the Department of the Taoiseach as provided for in the programme for Government.

The shared island unit has been engaging with all communities through a comprehensive dialogue series. It has also been commissioning research to deepen understanding of the whole island, in economic, social, cultural and political terms. Over the last two years, Government has allocated just under €250 million from the shared island fund. This has been for projects and investments that respond to common interests and concerns for people North and South, including climate action and biodiversity conservation, regional development, innovation and deepening our societal connections.

The social dialogue unit co-ordinates and assists the Government’s overall approach to social dialogue through a variety of mechanisms. These include regular engagement through the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, the national economic dialogue, the National Economic and Social Council and the work of the various citizens’ assemblies.

More recently, the new child poverty and well-being unit has been established in the Department. It will enhance co-ordination across Government, provide strategic leadership and bring enhanced accountability to the child poverty agenda.

The programme for Government also sets out a strong framework for climate action and places it at the heart of the work of all Departments. Through the work of the climate action unit the Department of the Taoiseach exercises a leadership role to ensure climate action is prioritised in all Government Departments. The Department of the Taoiseach will shortly publish its new strategy statement for the three-year period from 2023 to 2025.

See this speech in context