Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
318. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of each meeting to date in 2019 of the labour employer economic forum; the issues discussed; and the social partners and Departmental officials present at last meeting. [34624/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) was established to bring together representatives of employers and trade unions with Government Ministers to exchange views on economic and employment issues as they affect the Labour Market and which are of mutual concern.
To date in 2019, two meetings have been held. The eighth meeting of LEEF took place on 7th March last and was chaired by An Taoiseach. I chaired the ninth meeting which took place on 25th June last.
Both meetings were centred on progress reports from the four sub-groups to the LEEF which were established to facilitate ongoing engagement between employers and trade unions with relevant Government officials and Ministers. These sub-groups are based on a list of priority areas agreed by the LEEF members which are (i) pensions, (ii) employment, (iii) housing and (iv) early years. These issues are all highly relevant to the labour market and can be considered priority issues for all parties.
Detailed updates were also provided at both meetings on the status of Brexit (Brexit forms a standing agenda item for the LEEF).
An update on Future Jobs Ireland was also discussed at the March meeting.
Representatives from IBEC, CIF, Chambers Ireland, ICTU and Forsa were present at both meetings, as well as various department officials from Dept. of An Taoiseach, DBEI, DFAT, DEASP, DCYA and DPER.
The following Ministers were also in attendance:
8th Meeting, 7 March 2019
Leo Varadkar T.D, An Taoiseach
Paschal Donohoe T.D. Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform
Simon Coveney T.D. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Regina Doherty T.D. Minister for Employment and Social Protection
Heather Humphreys T.D Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
Katherine Zappone T.D Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Eoghan Murphy T.D. Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government
9th Meeting, 25 June 2019
Paschal Donohoe T.D. Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform
Simon Coveney T.D., Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Regina Doherty T.D. Minister for Employment and Social Protection
Heather Humphreys T.D Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation
Katherine Zappone T.D Minister for Children and Youth Affairs
Damien English T.D, Minister of State at the Dept. of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
