The National Economic and Social Council
Name: The National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
Established in: 1973 (The National Economic and Social Council has been continuously active since then)
Role: The National Economic and Social Council (NESC) advises the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development in Ireland.
Duties: The Council is tasked to: contribute different perspectives from civil society together with Government; analyse the challenges facing Irish society and to develop a shared understanding among its members; provide (written) advise to the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on strategic policy issues relating to sustainable economic, social and environmental development
Composition: The Council has 28 members. These members are representatives of business and employers’ organisations, trade unions, agricultural and farming organisations, community and voluntary organisations, and environmental organisations, as well as heads of Government departments and independent experts.
The secretariat: The NESC has a secretariat that comprises 17 staff members.
