Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The role of the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government in delivering programme for Government objectives and public policies and services which help create a socially inclusive and fair society.

Specifically, the Division assists the work of the newly established Cabinet Committees, as follows:

- the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services and the associated senior officials' group, established to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, with a particular focus on equality and integration, and public service reform;

- the Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and the associated senior officials' group, established to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the area of children and education, including further and higher education, with a specific focus on child poverty and well-being, and tackling local area disadvantage;

- the Cabinet Committee on Health and the associated senior officials' group, established to oversee Programme for Government commitments in relation to health. It will consider implementation of health reforms including Sláintecare, reform of disability services and development of mental health services. This Cabinet Committee will also maintain an overview of public health, including the impact of COVID-19 and the social and economic impacts of the pandemic and cross-government response;

- the Cabinet Committee on Humanitarian Response to Ukraine and the associated senior officials’ group, established to oversee the whole-of-Government humanitarian response to supporting people from Ukraine who have sought temporary protection here.

The Division also:

- assists the work of the Civil Service Management Board which oversees Civil Service Renewal and other matters;

- has departmental oversight of the National Economic and Social Council; advancing the Dublin North East Inner City Initiative, including through supporting the work of the programme implementation board, programme office, and oversight group;

- leads on the oversight of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future;

- assists the delivery of public service reform through membership of the public service leadership board and public service management group;

- provides me with briefing and speech material on social policy and public service reform issues; and

participates in relevant interdepartmental committees and other groups.