Press release
Labour Employer Economic Forum meets to consider initial report
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform
Published on
Last updated on
Government, employer and trade union representatives consider reports on pensions, employment issues and early years provision.
The Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, TD today (28 August 2018) chaired the sixth meeting of the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF).
The forum was established in 2016 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. The LEEF meets quarterly with the Taoiseach chairing the first meeting annually.
The meeting today centred around initial reports from subgroups to the LEEF, which were established to facilitate ongoing engagement between employers and trade unions with relevant government officials and ministers.
These subgroups are based on a list of priority areas agreed by the LEEF members which are
The list will be updated by agreement at the LEEF over time to reflect changing priorities. These issues are all highly relevant to the labour market and can be considered priority issues for all parties.
Reports considered today by members included those from subgroups dealing with pensions, employment issues and early years, which addresses issues related to childcare provision as it affects the labour market. A subgroup meeting on housing is scheduled for September.
A detailed update on the status of Brexit negotiations was provided by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney TD. Brexit forms a standing agenda item for the LEEF.
In commenting on the discussions the Minister Donohoe, stated that:
“Work to date in the LEEF and more particularly through the very recent establishment of dedicated sub-groups demonstrates the strong commitment of the relevant ministers and departments to this process.
"This will provide the opportunity for sustained engagement on substantive issues and, where appropriate, to consider concrete proposals submitted by employer and trade union representatives.”