Programme for Government – Our Shared Future
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Programme Ourfor Shared Government Future 1 2 Programme for Government – Our Shared Future Contents Our Shared Future - Introduction ............................................................................................................................................6 Ár dTodhchaí Le Chéile - Réamhrá ..........................................................................................................................................8 Mission: A Better Quality of Life for All .......................................................................................... 11 New Measures of Wellbeing and Progress Town Centres First A National Clean Air Strategy Better Work-life Balance Transport Mission: Reigniting and Renewing the Economy ............................................................................. 17 A Jobs-led Recovery National Economic Plan Public Finances and Taxation National Development Plan Aviation and Ports Tourism Insurance Reform National Digital Strategy Mission: A Green New Deal ............................................................................................................. 31 Emissions Climate Governance Energy Retrofitting Just Transition Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Water Mission: Universal Health Care ...................................................................................................... 43 Delivery of Care in a COVID-19 Environment Implementing Sláintecare Promoting Women’s Health A Healthier Future Mental Health A Health-led Approach to Drugs Misuse An Age-friendly Ireland 3 Programme for Government – Our Shared Future Mission: Housing for All ................................................................................................................. 53 Homelessness Affordable Home Ownership Public and Social Housing Rental Land Development Agency Planning and Reform Mission: Balanced Regional Development ....................................................................................... 59 Rural Development Agriculture and Food The Marine Broadband Mission: A New Social Contract ...................................................................................................... 73 Social Protection Pensions Family Carers Equality Direct Provision Disability Children and Family Support Mission: Building Stronger and Safer Communities ........................................................................ 83 Policing Online Safety Arts and Culture An Ghaeilge Sport Community Development, Social Inclusion and Public Participation Mission: Better Opportunities through Education and Research ..................................................... 93 Primary and Post-Primary Education Higher and Further Education and Research Apprenticeships Mission: A Shared Island .............................................................................................................. 103 A Shared Island Brexit British-Irish Relations 4 Programme for Government – Our Shared Future Mission: At the Heart of Europe and Global Citizenship ................................................................ 109 Ireland at the Heart of Europe An Island at the Centre of the World Strengthening our Relationship with the Diaspora Defence Overseas Operations and International Cooperation Mission: Reforming and Reimagining our Public Life ..................................................................... 117 Local Government Political and Public Service Reform Social Dialogue Media Functioning of Government ......................................................................................................... 123 Formation of Government Rotation of Taoiseach and Nomination of Government Office of An Tánaiste Green Party Leader Cabinet Committees and Government Coordination Committee Ongoing Cooperation Government Departments Unanticipated Concerns Ratification of the Programme for Government 5 Programme for Government – Our Shared Future Our Shared Future - Introduction This is a defining moment for our country. We face urgent This Programme shows that it is possible to bring together challenges which touch every community. In the space of a few the best thinking from three distinct parties, which differ short months our world has turned upside down. Lives have fundamentally in terms of history. It creates a vision for reform been lost and hearts broken, and our lives and livelihoods have and renewal that can help Ireland recover and thrive. It will not been changed utterly. In striving together against something be easy, and this Programme does not offer easy solutions. which threatens us all, we have shown we can surprise ourselves Not everything will be achieved within the lifetime of this – adapting quickly, building new alliances and collaborating in Government. But, as we begin to make some transformative ways we never expected – all to realise a common purpose: our changes for our country, we recognise that these steps have common future. the potential to deliver radical change. This Government will be a genuine partnership between all involved and the policies COVID-19 has presented the global community with a terrible outlined reflect a shared desire to work together and a mutual set of challenges to add to the ongoing climate and biodiversity respect for each other’s policies, beliefs, and values. emergency. In this Programme for Government, we are asserting our ambition to meet these challenges, repair the damage that The actions taken over the next five years will define this has been inflicted by the pandemic, and take the renewed spirit nation’s future direction for decades to come. Our objective arising from these challenging times and translate it into action is to contribute positively towards a wider global response to – action that can deliver a better quality of life for all, equality how we shape the post-COVID recovery and also to how we within society and a deeper sense of connection to the natural lead as an exemplar in decarbonising our economy. world around us, and each other. We recognise that the task is immense. Some of the biggest The world was approaching a climate crisis long before tasks include achieving social solidarity and equality of COVID-19 hit our shores. The pandemic has acted as a opportunity, reaching ecological harmony and economic catalyst, enabling us to implement radical policies that were equity, securing good livelihoods from our land and housing considered impossible before; it will not and must not be used for all, and embracing our cultural diversity. It is a task we will as an excuse for failure to take immediate action to deliver on all not shirk from. that is needed to build a better society and a secure future for The new Government will make every effort to get people back all living things. This is a Programme to recover our economy, to work, to reopen businesses, while developing the strategies rebuild our society, renew our communities, and respond to the and the policies to drive this forward. We will stimulate the challenges we face both nationally and internationally. This will economy through investment in public infrastructure, and be a Government of enterprise, creating new jobs, preparing critical areas such as housing, health care, transport, and for the jobs of the future, driving our economic recovery, and energy. improving the quality of life for all our people. 6 Programme for Government – Our Shared Future The wellbeing of our nation, however, goes beyond the narrow work of the last administration by ensuring that the spirit and confines of economic growth. Over the next five years, the the letter of the Good Friday Agreement are protected. We Government will use wellbeing indicators as well as economic will work to protect the island of Ireland from the worst effects indicators to point out inequalities and help ensure that policies of Brexit, as we develop a new relationship with the United are driven by a desire to do better by people. Kingdom (UK). By continuing to build a close relationship with Northern Ireland, the new Government will also look forward Our economy must recover in a way that is fair and balanced, to how we can share this island together. leaves no one behind, and is futureproofed against shocks. Embedding resilience within our economy must become a way This Programme outlines a vision of an Ireland for all ages, of life, recognising our strength as a home for international where the arts and culture thrive, the Irish language is nurtured business, and crucially how our own indigenous small and developed, and sport inspires us to lead healthier and and medium-sized enterprises can trade in a supportive better lives – environment. an Ireland that is a welcoming place to all visitors, whether This is a vision for Ireland that seeks to move beyond division they are here on holiday, to learn, to seek refuge, or for and discord and find shared solutions. Nowhere is this more business; an Ireland for people of all ages. The Programme evident than in the area of Climate Action, where we show that therefore includes policies to help people raise their children it is possible to move beyond politics and deliver transformative in all circumstances with real care, encourage youth political change that benefits our agriculture and fisheries, our society, participation, promote digital safety, and value our older our economy and our planet. people. This Programme seeks to deliver a better life for all. We must As the country begins to reawaken, this Programme will have take the good