Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020
17. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Taoiseach the details of all meetings of the Labour Employer Economic Forum that have taken place since the Government was established, including all subgroup meetings; the issues discussed; the details of all Government members and social partner representatives present for each meeting; the schedule for remaining meetings in 2020; and his plans for a social dialogue unit in his Department. [29029/20]
View answerThe Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) has facilitated dialogue between Government, employers and trade unions during the COVID-19 crisis. Engagement with members of LEEF has taken place in a number of formats in recent months. I have held separate introductory meetings with LEEF members, ICTU and IBEC. The LEEF Consultative Forum on the Return to Work Protocol has met on a number of occasions, most recently this week.
A meeting of the LEEF subgroup on Employment Legislation, chaired by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, also took place on 30 September. This meeting was attended by representatives of ICTU, IBEC, Chambers Ireland and the Construction Industry Federation. Issues discussed included Sick Pay and the Report of the Low Pay Commission.
Further meetings of LEEF and its various sub-groups will take place in the coming period with arrangements to be confirmed.
As outlined in the programme for Government, a unit to help co-ordinate future social dialogue has been established within my Department. This unit will seek to create new models of sectorial engagement with a wide range of stakeholders across civil society. It is part of the economic division of my Department, which is already involved in dialogue with the social partners.
