National Economic Dialogue 2021
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From: Department of Finance; Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation
- Published on: 23 June 2021
- Last updated on: 15 September 2021
- Watch recorded plenary sessions
- Event overview
- Programme for Day 1
- Breakout session details
- Programme for Day 2
- Documents
- Speeches
-#Budget22 -#Ned21
Watch recorded plenary sessions
Event overview
The National Economic Dialogue is the principal institutional forum for public consultation and discussion on the Budget. This annual stakeholder engagement event is hosted jointly by the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Dialogue provides a deliberative forum for stakeholders to participate in an open and inclusive exchange on the competing economic and social priorities facing the government. It is not intended to produce specific budget proposals or recommendations, but should assist participants in preparing their own pre-budget submissions.
Theme
The National Economic Dialogue took place in a virtual format over two afternoons from 2-5pm on Monday 28 June and Tuesday 29 June. The discussions at the Dialogue were framed around the theme of Building a Sustainable Recovery post-COVID.
Participation
Representatives of community, voluntary and environmental groups as well as business, unions, research institutes and the academic community were invited to attend the National Economic Dialogue 2021. The Committee on Budgetary Oversight represented the Oireachtas through their attendance and participation in the event. In addition, the opening and plenary sessions of the Dialogue were live streamed and are now available to watch back on this site. Breakout sessions focused on specific topics linked to the overall theme.
Queries
Any queries in relation to the organisation of the National Economic Dialogue can be directed by email to ned@budget.gov.ie
Programme for Day 1
| Time | Agenda item | Speaker(s) |
| 14:00 | Welcome and introduction | Professor Alan Barrett (Chair) |
| 14:05 | Opening address | An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin |
| 14:20 | Scene setter - economic and fiscal context | Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe |
| 14:30 | Scene setter - expenditure policy supports for social and economic development | Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath |
| 14:40 | Direction to breakout rooms | Professor Alan Barrett (Chair) |
| 14:45 | Comfort break | |
| 14:55 | Parallel Thematic Breakout Sessions (10)* | Ministers / Rapporteurs |
| 16:55 | Wrap up and closing of day one | Professor Alan Barrett (Chair) |
| 17:00 | End of day one |
Breakout session details
| Topic | Chair | Rapporteur |
| 1 - Deliver a sustainable and resilient economic recovery (including through the work of the Commission on Welfare and Taxation) | Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe | Dr Stephen Kinsella |
| 2 - Budgeting for a Better Ireland | Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath | Dr Larry O’Connell |
| 3 - Supporting economic recovery and job creation in the context of COVID-19 and medium-term challenges and opportunities | Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar | Dr Conor O’Toole |
| 4 -Deliver a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable recovery | Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan | Professor Eleanor Denny |
| 5 - Deliver a more responsive and integrated health and social care service for a post-COVID world | Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly | Dr Sara Burke |
| 6 - Activation and employment support to support a dynamic recovery | Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys | Professor Philip O’Connell |
| 7 - Skills provision in Ireland: Ensuring a well-balanced and responsive tertiary education system | Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris | Dr Darragh Flannery |
| 8 - Bridging the viability and affordability gaps in housing and investing in our cities | Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien | Dr Ronan Lyons |
| 9 -Agri-food post COVID and looking towards the future | Minister of State with special responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, Martin Heydon | Professor Michael Wallace |
| 10 - Rebuilding tourism in a post-COVID environment | Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin | Dr Denise O’Leary |
Programme for Day 2
| Time | Agenda item | Speaker(s) |
| 14:00 | Introduction from Chair | Professor Alan Barrett (Chair) |
| 14:05 | Opening address | Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar |
| 14:20 | Feedback from breakout sessions | Rapporteurs |
| 15:10 | Comfort break | |
| 15:20 | Plenary session | All participants |
| 16:35 | Chair's summary | Professor Alan Barrett (Chair) |
| 16:45 | Closing remarks | Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan |
| 17:00 | End of NED 2021 |
Documents
Speeches
- Speech by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the National Economic Dialogue
- Address by the Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD to the National Economic Dialogue (NED) - Economic and fiscal context
- Opening Address by Minister Michael McGrath to the National Economic Dialogue
- Opening Speech by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar TD, on Day 2 of the National Economic Dialogue 2021
- Closing Speech by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, on Day 2 of the National Economic Dialogue 2021