The Forum was originally set up by the Government in 1993 for
the purposes of achieving consensus, on as wide a basis as possible, on major
economic and social policy issues. Since 1998, the Forum's work is focused on
evaluating the implementation of policies dealing with equality and social
inclusion.
The main task of the Forum is:
to monitor and analyse the implementation of specific measures and
programmes identified especially those concerned with the achievement of
equality and social inclusion;
to do so through consideration of reports prepared by teams comprising the
social partners, with appropriate expertise and representatives of relevant
Departments and agencies and its own Secretariat;
with reports to be published by the Forum with such comments as may be
considered appropriate; and
to ensure that the teams compiling such reports take account of the
experience of implementing bodies and customers/clients, including regional
variations in such experience.
The Forum may consider such policy issues on its own initiative or at the
request of the Government.
Membership of the Forum, which is the most representative of the social
partnership institutions, is drawn from the following four Strands:
The Oireachtas (TDs and Senators from both Government and Opposition
Parties);
Employer, Trade Union and Farm Organisations;
The Voluntary and Community Sector; and
Central Government, Local Government and Independents.
The term of office of the Members is two years but this can be extended. The
size of the Forum's membership may also be varied by the Government.
