Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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115. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23260/21]

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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116. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23262/21]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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118. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the National Economic and Social Council. [23265/21]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115, 116 and 118 together.

The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of my Department. It provides advice on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland.

The Council's 2020 work programme comprised the following five themes – Transition Teams (as Part of a Just Transition in Ireland); Climate Change; Land Use; Land Value and Urban Development; Welfare and Employment; and COVID-19.

The NESC work programme for 2021 is currently focused on:

Shared Island– a programme of research on possible co-operation across a number of economic, social and environmental areas in Ireland, North and South;

Wellbeing Framework - development of a Well-being Framework for Ireland by consulting with stakeholders;

Climate and Biodiversity and Just Transition - research and advice in relation to a just transition to a low carbon economy and society;

Digital Inclusion – preparation of a report which will identify actions which will help better prepare individuals, the economy, society and the public service for a more digitalised future.

Welfare Reform -preparation and publication of a comprehensive report on the future of the Irish social welfare system.

The Council has so far published 2 reports in 2021:

- Council Report No. 152 - Grounding the Recovery in Sustainable Development: A Statement from the Council

- Council Report No. 153 – Shared Island: Projects, Progress & Policy Scoping Paper

As reports are finalised in the relevant areas they are brought to Government for approval in advance of publication.