Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
730. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which her Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25755/21]
View answerThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.
The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy and the governance structure reflects a whole-of-government approach and ensures coordination and coherence, in particular where goals cover areas of shared responsibility.
19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan. Action 4 of the plan set out a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility.
The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publication later this year. A National Progress report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess the progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 4.
My Department aligns our policies with the specific goals and the targets in the Implementation Plan by placing the SDGs at the heart of our policies, including the Rural Development Policy, the Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities Strategy, the National Social Enterprise Policy and the National Volunteering Strategy.
The Sustainable Development Goals are referenced in the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2023, which was published earlier this year and is available online at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/
