Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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16. To ask the Taoiseach his plans for a new programme for Government. [37537/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government was agreed in May 2016 during the formation of the Government. This is a five year programme of work being undertaken for the duration of the present Dáil.

The Government publishes progress reports on the Programme for Government each year - the second of which was approved by cabinet in May 2018 and is published on my Department’s website. This report reflects the significant work undertaken by all Government Departments to deliver progress across a wide range of issues, including housing and homelessness, education, health and rural development.

There is more work to be done. The Government remains committed to tackling challenges head on.

The experience of the last two years means it is now reasonable to chart an ambitious path for the remaining three years of the current Dáil’s term.

That path is about ensuring that – to the greatest extent possible – every citizen is enabled to achieve their full potential. We will continue to work towards improving access to our health services; increasing the supply of affordable housing; planning for Brexit; generating quality employment; driving justice and policing reform; continuing the gains that have been made in education; and much more besides.

As regards specific commitments on defence policy, the Government is committed to building and maintaining defence capabilities into the future. Progress continues to be made across all fronts in relation to the defence-related commitments in the Programme for Government through, in the main, the White Paper on Defence. Indeed, more than half of the 88 projects identified for implementation in the White Paper on Defence will have either commenced or been completed by the end of this year.

These include efforts to increase serving strength levels within the Defence Forces - including increased female participation - and supports for veterans. A range of maintenance and equipment priorities are also being progressed and some €35m worth of infrastructure projects are at various stages of implementation.

The Government will continue its work over its lifetime to strengthen our economy and ensure that all citizens benefit from a fair society.