Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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7. To ask the Taoiseach the priorities of his Department during his term in office. [1659/23]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As I outlined in my speech to the House on 17 December, there are a number of pressing challenges that will define the rest of our term in office.

On housing, we must do whatever it takes to solve this social crisis and reverse the trend of rising homelessness and falling home ownership. Housing for All is a comprehensive plan and, working with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, I will do all I can to drive it forward.

In the months ahead, we will assess the cost of living challenges facing our citizens, whether to do with the cost of energy, childcare, education, rent or healthcare.

We must ensure the best start in life for every child. Our focus must be on reducing child poverty and improving well-being. I will put in place a new unit in the Department of the Taoiseach to co-ordinate this approach, working closely with the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman, Foley, Humphreys, Harris and Stephen Donnelly, among others.

We will work to become energy independent by harnessing our untapped renewable energy resources. I will work very closely with the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, to do what needs to be done, including the timeframe, the resources needed to make it happen and developing the capacity of the Department of the Taoiseach on climate action.

Another ambition is to build safer communities and safer streets and improve our national security. We will build on the work under way to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour. We will provide additional resources to the Garda and the Defence Forces, as well as passing new laws to ensure we apprehend criminals and deal with them appropriately.

Working with Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, we will work to re-establish the Good Friday Agreement institutions in the North.

We will ensure balanced regional development, whether through the national broadband plan, the regeneration of our rural communities or ensuring a better future for those involved in farming and fishing. We will continue to adopt a town-and-village-first approach.

Cross Government work will continue to deliver the accommodation and other requirements for the high numbers of people seeking protection from the war in Ukraine.

We will continue to invest in our health service to deliver better outcomes for all.

A new Statement of Strategy for the Department, taking these priorities into account, will be finalised over the coming months.