Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The social dialogue unit, part of the economic division of the Department, co-ordinates and assists the Government's overall approach to social dialogue. This includes the Labour Employer Economic Forum, LEEF, which engages with representatives of employers and trade unions on economic and employment issues insofar as they affect the labour market, and which are of mutual concern. The most recent meeting of the LEEF took place on 20 November. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 26 February. A range of LEEF subgroups deal with issues such as employment and enterprise, housing, pensions, early years and health issues.

Social dialogue and engagement also take place through a variety of formats including:

·the National Civic Forum for dialogue with the community and voluntary sector, the second of which was held in November;

·the National Economic Dialogue, which was held on 12 June and will take place again this summer;

·the National Economic and Social Council;

·the National Dialogue on Climate Action;

·the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council; and

·many other sectoral groups and consultative forums.

Another model for broad-based social dialogue are citizens' assemblies.

In addition, I and other members of the Government regularly meet bilaterally with representative groups to hear their views on a wide variety of issues.

The social dialogue unit will continue to assist me and the Government in these engagements with the social partners in the period ahead.