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Budget 2022

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (466)

Gerald Nash

Question:

466. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of progress of a well-being budgeting framework; if the framework is set to be included in budget 2022; if not, the expected timeline for completion and operationalisation of this well-being budget framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39871/21]

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Written answers

Following the Government's decision in February 2021 to commence work on developing a well-being framework for Ireland, the Department of the Taoiseach, co-sponsored by the Department of Finance as well as my Department, established an Interdepartmental Working Group on the Development of a Well-being Framework for Ireland.

This Working Group provided a forum for representatives from across the policy system to have an input into the design of the Framework. The design of the Framework was also informed by a sub-group of stakeholders and experts that was established by the National Economic & Social Council and a consultation process that it facilitated with stakeholders, external experts and interested parties.

In July 2021, the first report of the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDWG) was published setting out an initial Well-being Framework for Ireland. This initial Framework has an outcomes-based approach that is focused on understanding people’s lived experiences across person, place and society, and builds on existing work in this area, in particular the work of the OECD. That said, it has also sought to integrate an Irish context into the aspects of well-being that are set out in this initial Framework; reflecting internal and external consultation.

The initial Framework sets out 11 dimensions of well-being:

- Subjective Well-being,

- Mental and Physical Health,

- Income and Wealth,

- Knowledge and Skills,

- Housing and Local Area,

- Environment, Climate and Biodiversity,

- Safety and Security,

- Work and Job Quality,

- Time Use,

- Community, Social Connections and Cultural Participation, and

- Civic Engagement and Cultural Expression.

In Autumn 2021, it is intended that an interactive dashboard of indicators associated with each of these dimensions will be made available by the Central Statistics Office.

This initial Framework will be developed further through consultation and engagement with policy makers, stakeholders, regional communities and citizens. Its development will also be supported by the use of the Framework in informing and shaping the direction of public policy.

The Mid-Year Expenditure Report has set out my Department's perspective on how the Well-being Framework can be utilised to locate well-being within existing expenditure policy in order to inform efforts to improve the impact of public policy on people's lives and to build knowledge of well-being as a policy objective, in order to better understand policy challenges and inform the design and implementation of more effective public policies.

An updated report will be submitted to Government in early 2022 and will include an updated vision and framework, progress on addressing data gaps, and set out recommendations for longer-term structures for developing and embedding the Framework.

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