Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
407. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on his attendance at the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions-the Foundation Forum 2025. [66789/25]
View answerThe European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions - Eurofound - held it's 50th anniversary celebration and 8th Foundation Forum on 20th November. Forum 2025 marked the agency’s 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of evidence-based contributions to social, employment, and work-related policies across the EU. This event provided the opportunity to reflect on Eurofound’s legacy while looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of work and society.
The Forum theme focused on Europe’s social model – The key to competitive growth, with the programme featuring keynote addresses, presentations and parallel thematic panel sessions encouraging discussion and audience engagement, as well as a closing plenary session. The main topics discussed included the role of good job quality in supporting an engaged, adaptable and resilient workforce, the impact of AI on the future of employment, and the future of social investment in securing decent living standards for all.
I was delighted to attend the Forum, which was addressed by the Taoiseach and EU Commission Executive Vice President Roxana Minzatu, with whom I held a bilateral meeting as we look forward to assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2026, and Li Anderson MEP, Chair of the EU Parliament Employment Committee. I also look forward to working with Eurofound as we finalise our preparations for the Presidency. Its research capability and tripartite structure with social partners will provide a valuable evidence-base to enhance policy-making in the European Union.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
