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

Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh 1 go 14, le chéile.

The Government is making good progress in implementing the programme for Government. We led Ireland through the pandemic, saving lives and livelihoods. Over 500,000 more people are at work today than on the day the Government took office, and we are now at full employment. We are implementing far-reaching reforms like sick pay, the living wage, and auto-enrolment so that every worker has a pension, and we are setting asie surplus revenues for future investment. This is very much in line with the programme for Government objective that demands our economy recovers in a way that is fair and balanced, leaves no one behind, and is future-proofed against shocks.

Individual commitments in the programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the Cabinet committee structure. The ten Cabinet committees established by the Government reflect the core policy areas that are set out in the programme. The strategy statements of all Departments reflect the national priorities outlined in the programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach is continuing to help advance the programme's commitments in the following significant policy areas: the first involves the implementation of the Housing for All strategy, including additional initiatives as necessary, to advance crucial housing related commitments; second is the continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East, including by calling for full observance of international law by all parties working to build consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in assisting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process, and increased funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees or UNRWA; third is the engagement with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the programme for Government, in particular, economic and competitiveness issues, energy security, external relations including with the UK, as well as continuing our strong collective EU response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; fourth is the pursuit of our international commitments, including strengthening our relationship with the US, and implementing the UN sustainable development goals; fifth is the advancement of the Government’s commitments on a shared island; sixth is ensuring the implementation of the New Decade, New Approach deal commitments, working with the relevant Departments, North and South, in advancing these goals, strengthening British-Irish relations, including with London, and the devolved governments in Wales and Scotland. It also includes the implementation of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, and the Government’s climate action plan; advancements in Sláintecare, improving access, outcomes and affordability for patients by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure and provision of patient care; oversight of the implementation of the third domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy; oversight of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future, the Government’s plan to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland through the policing reform implementation programme office of the Department; and the development of the well-being framework for Ireland and its integration into the policymaking and budgetary systems. It also involves the publication of Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework in February 2022, and ongoing implementation to drive and enable the digital transition across the economy and society, with a first progress report in December 2022; progressing four citizens’ assemblies on a Dublin directly elected mayor and local government structures, biodiversity loss, drugs use, and the future of education; and finally, the establishment of the child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach to honour commitments identified in the programme for Government that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children who experience poverty and disadvantage.

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