Minister Doherty welcomes agreement on the European Pillar of Social Rights

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection Regina Doherty, T.D., today (Monday, 23 October 2017) attended a meeting of the Council of Ministers for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs in Luxembourg.

At the meeting, Ministers agreed the text of the Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights which sets out twenty specific principles under three broad categories – (i) equal opportunities and access to the labour market; (ii) fair working conditions; and (iii) social protection and inclusion.

Since the idea of a European Pillar of Social Rights was first mooted, Ireland has been fully engaged throughout the process, publishing a detailed response to the European Commission consultation in November 2016. This followed extensive cross-department discussions and engagement with civil society within Ireland.

Speaking after today’s meeting, Minister Doherty said:

“The Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights is an important political commitment which provides guidance to Member States and the EU institutions. Its aim is to ensure that we have a social system which is robust in the face of 21st century challenges such as globalisation and the changing nature of work.

The Government is fully supportive of the principles set out in the Interinstitutional Proclamation and so I am delighted that my European colleagues and I agreed the text today so that it can be signed at the Social Summit in Gothenburg next month.”

The Ministers also authorised the Council Presidency to sign the Proclamation with the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Parliament, at the EU Social Summit in Gothenburg on 17 November which the Taoiseach is scheduled to attend.

Note for the Information of Editors

The proposed Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights was published by the European Commission in April of this year following an extensive Commission consultation throughout 2016 on the EU Pillar of Social Rights.

The Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights covers twenty specific policy areas under three broad categories:

Equal opportunities and access to the labour market

Education, training & life-long learning; gender equality; equal opportunities; active support to employment.

Fair working conditions

Secure and adaptable employment, wages, information about employment conditions and protection in case of dismissal; social dialogue and involvement of workers; work-life balance; healthy, safe and well-adapted work environment and data protection.

Social protection and inclusion

Childcare and support to children; social protection; unemployment benefits; minimum income; old age income and pensions; health care; inclusion of people with disabilities; long-term care; housing and assistance for the homeless; access to essential services.

ENDS