Monday, 9 Sep 2024

Programme for Government

Ceisteanna (1)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

1. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments under the remit of his Department. [34017/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Individual commitments in the Programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the cabinet committee structure. The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that are set out in the Programme for Government.

Cabinet Committees meet regularly to accomplish their work.

The Strategy Statements of all Government Departments reflect the national priorities outlined in the Programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach is continuing to help advance the Programme for Government commitments in the following significant policy areas:

· Implementation of the Housing for All strategy, including additional initiatives as necessary, to advance crucial housing related commitments;

· Continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East, including by calling for full observance of international law by all parties;

· Increased funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and working to build consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in assisting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process. On 28 May Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine. The Government took this decision, in coordination with Spain and Norway, to support the two-state solution. It fulfils our commitment under the Programme for Government;

· Engagement with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular, economic and competitiveness issues; energy security; external relations including with the UK; as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine;

· Pursuing our international commitments, including strengthening our relationship with the United States, and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals;

· Advancing the Government’s commitments on Shared Island;

· Ensuring implementation of the New Decade, New Approach commitments; working with the relevant Departments North and South in advancing these goals;

· Strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship - including with London, and the devolved Governments in Wales and Scotland;

· Implementation of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Government’s Climate Action Plan;

· Advancements in Sláintecare, improving access, outcomes and affordability for patients by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure and provision of patient care;

· Supporting the development of the next National Disability Strategy that will set out a blueprint for the further realisation of the UNCRPD and will provide the necessary framework for whole-of-government action on disability over the coming years;

· Oversight of implementation of the Third Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy;

· Development of the Well-being Framework for Ireland and driving its whole of Government integration in policy making and budgetary systems;

· Publication of Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework in February 2022;

· Establishment of a Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach to progress commitments identified in the Programme for Government that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children who experience poverty; and

· Three of the four Citizens’ Assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government have been completed. The relevant government departments are now drafting detailed responses to the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use held its first meeting on 13th June to examine the report of that Citizens' Assembly and will report back to the Houses of the Oireachtas on its findings.

National Development Plan

Ceisteanna (2)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Ceist:

2. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach to confirm that the €1 billion shared island fund is contained within existing NDP ceilings out to 2030. [34834/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

As set out in the revised National Development Plan (NDP), the Shared Island Fund forms part of the Government's overall commitment to all-island investment of more than €3.5 billion over 2021-2030 through the Shared Island Fund, Project Ireland 2040 funds, the Government’s annual funding for North/South cooperation, and the PEACEPLUS programme delivered with the European Union, UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive.

Shared Island Fund resources are provided for through the updated capital allocations agreed by Government and announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., on 27 March 2024. Shared Island Fund capital ceilings for 2024 and subsequent years are set out in tabular form.

As committed to in the National Development Plan and reflected in this substantial ongoing resourcing the Shared Island Fund, the Government will continue to allocate ring-fenced, multi-annual capital resourcing for all-island investment for the remainder of the NDP, representing €1 billion to the Shared Island Fund out to 2030.

Allocations from the Shared Island Fund made by Government are taken forward by Ministers and their Departments, managed through Departmental Votes and the annual Estimates process, in cooperation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Updated NDP capital allocations
	2024 (€m)	2025 (€m)	2026 (€m)
Shared Island Fund	150	150	190

Departmental Staff

Ceisteanna (3)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

3. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2020 to 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34922/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The political staff employed by the Department of the Taoiseach since the formation of the Government in June 2020 are detailed in the table below. This list includes all special advisers, civilian drivers and other relevant staff employed by the Department in support of the offices of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Leader of the Green Party, Government Chief Whip, Minister of State for European Affairs and the Leader of the Seanad.

Role	Salary	Term of employment	Associated Office Holder

Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	11.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Taoiseach Varadkar, Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar, Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Special Adviser	Assistant Secretary equivalent (seconded)	15.07.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Chief of Staff	Deputy Secretary	27.06.2020 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Deputy Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	07.03.2022 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - 09.04.2024	Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 31.12.2020 16.01.2023 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 05.08.2021	Tánaiste Varadkar
Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	01.05.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	17.12.2022 - 09.04.2024	Taoiseach Varadkar
Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	27.06.2020 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Minister of State Naughton
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Minister of State Naughton
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	15.07.2020 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	04.01.2021 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 15.07.2020	Minister of State Calleary
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 15.07.2020	Minister of State Calleary
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	17.12.2022 - 19.01.2024	Minister of State Naughton
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	17.12.2022 - 19.01.2024	Minister of State Naughton
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	24.08.2020 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	12.07.2021 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Chief of Staff	Deputy Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Deputy Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Special Adviser	Assistant Secretary equivalent (seconded)	21.07.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	21.03.2022 - 17.12.2022, 20.11.2023 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	30.11.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 23.10.2020	Taoiseach Martin
Personal Assistant	Higher Executive Officer	27.06.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Acting Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary (acting)	29.01.2024 - 08.08.2024	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.08.2024 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 28.01.2024	Minister Ryan
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Special Adviser	Principal Officer	29.01.2024 - 08.08.2024	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Constituency Office Manager	Executive Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Minister of State Carroll MacNeill
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	17.12.2022 - date	Senator Chambers
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	17.12.2022 - date	Senator Chambers
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	11.08.2021 - 17.12.2022	Senator Doherty
Civilian Driver	Civilian Driver	21.10.2020 - 17.12.2022	Senator Doherty
Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	17.12.2022 - 09.04.2024	Taoiseach Varadkar
Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	30.11.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - 30.11.2020	Taoiseach Martin
Deputy Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - 17.12.2022	Tánaiste Varadkar
Deputy Government Press Secretary	Assistant Secretary	17.12.2022 - date	Tánaiste Martin
Deputy Government Press Secretary	Principal Officer	24.05.2021 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Deputy Government Press Secretary	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 21.05.2021	Minister Ryan

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (4)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

4. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach to provide a list of the names of each special adviser employed by his Department since 2020; the Minister and Minister of State whom each adviser is associated with, and their respective salaries, in tabular form; the areas of expertise covered by such advisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34940/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The special advisers employed by the Department of the Taoiseach since the formation of the Government in June 2020 are detailed in the table below. This list includes all advisers employed by the Department in support of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Office of the Green Party Leader and the Government Chief Whip.The appointments of special advisers are made in line with the Public Service Management Act, 1997 and are subject to Government approval. Following Government approval, the relevant contracts are laid before the House of the Oireachtas.

The Special Advisers working in my office provide briefings and advice on a wide range of policy matters, as well as performing other functions as I may direct from time to time. They also liaise with other Special Advisers in each Government Department so that I am informed on developments across Government.

Name	Role	Salary	Term of employment	Associated Office Holder

Sarah Bardon	Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Joanne Lonergan	Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Ciara Phelan	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	11.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Majella Fitzpatrick	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Matthew Lynch	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Taoiseach Varadkar, Taoiseach Harris
Clare Mungovan	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar, Taoiseach Harris
Jack O'Donnell	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Max Murphy	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.04.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Stephen Kinsella	Special Adviser	Assistant Secretary equivalent (seconded)	15.07.2024 - date	Taoiseach Harris
Brian Murphy	Chief of Staff	Deputy Secretary	27.06.2020 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Philip O'Callaghan	Deputy Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Bríd Murphy	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	07.03.2022 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Sarah O'Neill (*on approved leave)	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Taoiseach Varadkar
Cliona Doyle	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - 09.04.2024	Taoiseach Varadkar
Jim D'Arcy	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 31.12.2020 16.01.2023 - 09.04.2024	Tánaiste Varadkar, Taoiseach Varadkar
Angela Flanagan	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 05.08.2021	Tánaiste Varadkar
John Carroll	Special Adviser	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - 11.09.2020	Tánaiste Varadkar
Denise Duffy	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Minister of State Naughton
Paul Melia	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	17.12.2022 - date	Minister of State Naughton
Sam Griffin	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	15.07.2020 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Shane Smyth	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	04.01.2021 - 17.12.2022	Minister of State Chambers
Adam Ledwith	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 15.07.2020	Minister of State Calleary
Aimee Miller	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 15.07.2020	Minister of State Calleary
Deirdre Gillane	Chief of Staff	Deputy Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Pat McParland	Deputy Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Alan Ahearne	Special Adviser	Assistant Secretary equivalent (seconded)	21.07.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Charlotte Simpson	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	21.03.22 - 17.12.2022, 20.11.2023 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Diarmuid Lynch	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Taoiseach Martin, Tánaiste Martin
Lisa-Dee Collery	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	30.11.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Grainne Weld	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 17.12.2022	Taoiseach Martin
Kevin Dillon	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 23.10.2020	Taoiseach Martin
Anna Conlan	Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Donall Geoghegan	Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Eamonn Fahey	Acting Joint Chief of Staff	Assistant Secretary (acting)	29.01.2024 - 08.08.2024	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Eamonn Fahey	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	09.08.2024 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Eamonn Fahey	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - 28.01.2024	Minister Ryan
David Healy	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Niamh Allen	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	27.06.2020 - date	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman
Kate Ruddock	Special Adviser	Principal Officer	29.01.2024 - 08.08.2024	Minister Ryan, Minister O'Gorman

Ministerial Staff

Ceisteanna (5)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

5. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach the details of the expenses paid to ministerial advisers in his Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34958/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

Special advisers in the Department of the Taoiseach are employed in support of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Office of the Green Party Leader and the Government Chief Whip. Details of the expenses paid to special advisers in this Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 are set out in the table below.

Year	Total
2020	€1,678.53
2021	€2,557.18
2022	€5,219.42
2023	€7,436.56

National Security

Ceisteanna (6, 7, 8)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

6. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach for an update on the development of Ireland’s national security strategy; and to provide a timeline for its publication. [35306/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

7. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach for an update in relation to the work of the National Security Analysis Centre. [35311/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

8. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach the number of full- and part-time staff, broken down by rank, assigned to the National Security Analysis Centre, in tabular form; the number of positions currently vacant; and his views on whether the centre’s current capacity is sufficient. [35312/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 8, inclusive, together.

The primary purpose of the National Security Analysis Centre is to provide strategic analysis for the Government on threats to national security and to support co-ordination between the various State bodies with national security and related functions.

The Centre provides a secretariat and support for the National Security Committee and its related groups. The National Security Committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level from the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice, Defence, Environment, Climate and Communications (including the National Cyber Security Centre), and from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. The Committee is concerned with ensuring that the Government and I are advised of high-level security issues and the responses to them. It is not concerned with the detail of operational matters.

The Centre supports the National Security Committee’s work by preparing its meetings and coordinating and developing policy approaches on cross-cutting security issues, including through facilitating inter-departmental and agency engagement.

In conjunction, notably with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Centre also maintains contacts and interaction with international counterparts and organisations on security-related matters. It participates in the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning and is active in supporting the Department of Defence in its implementation of recommendations from the Report on the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The Centre works closely with the Department of Justice including in supporting its work in modernising the State’s security legislation and the security arrangements for office holders. Equally, the Centre works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of relevant legislative developments and supporting the security of Government communications.

The Centre is also co-ordinating work on drawing up a national security strategy, integrating inputs from a range of relevant stakeholders. The preparation of a draft strategy covers a broad range of national security issues and it will include the implications of more recent security, defence and international developments and their related impacts. I anticipate receiving the strategy by year-end.

There are currently 12 persons assigned to work with the Centre. The Director is at Assistant Secretary level in my Department and the Deputy Director is a senior Counsellor seconded from the Department of Foreign Affairs. There are a further nine personnel at Assistant Principal or equivalents assigned from my Department, other Government Departments, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces and the National Cyber Security Centre. Additional administrative support is provided by an Executive Officer in my Department. As the resources assigned to the Centre are supplemented directly on an ongoing basis from Government Departments and Agencies relevant to issues that may arise, I am satisfied that the current levels of staffing are appropriate for the work of the Centre at present. The resources required are kept under active review.

In the context of a rapidly changing international security landscape, which impacts directly on Ireland, the Centre will continue to facilitate and further inter departmental and inter agency engagement and collaboration on current and emerging threats to Ireland’s national security in support of Ireland’s wider security architecture.

Question No. 7 answered with Question No. 6.

Question No. 8 answered with Question No. 6.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Ceisteanna (9)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

9. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach to report on his most recent meeting with the President of France; and if the subject of managing migration at EU level was discussed. [35337/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I met with President Macron in the Élysée Palace on Tuesday 27 August in Paris. We discussed bilateral relations and current EU and international issues.

I took the opportunity to congratulate President Macron and through him the people of France on hosting a very successful Olympic Games, as well as offering my best wishes for the Paralympic Games.

As our closest EU neighbour, Ireland’s bilateral relations with France have gone from strength to strength in recent years. We discussed the further deepening of this relationship across a range of areas, including energy, trade, tourism, education and culture.

Ireland and France are also both committed EU Member States. As a new European Parliament and European Commission begin their work, we discussed important issues on the European Council agenda in the period ahead, including bolstering Europe’s competitiveness.

We discussed the war in Ukraine and reiterated our condemnation of the illegal and unjustified war of aggression perpetrated by Russia.

We also discussed the very serious situation in the Middle East, particularly the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. I emphasised the importance of the European Union collectively using all the levers at its disposal to bring about an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

While in Paris I also attended events in support of Team Ireland’s participation in the 17th Paralympic Games.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (10)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

10. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Taoiseach when details of the next round of funding for capital projects under the shared island fund will be announced. [35824/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

The Government continues to prioritise and progress the Shared Island initiative, working with all communities and political traditions to build a shared future on this island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.

Shared Island investment commitments and allocations are taken forward by Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland Executive and British Government counterparts, and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners across the island.

To date, over €500m has been allocated by Government from the Shared Island Fund. Allocations are made to enable progress with priority projects and programmes that deliver on our Shared Island investment commitments and objectives, as set out in the Programme for Government and revised National Development Plan (2021-2030). Shared Island Fund allocations are made alongside funding from other public sources and in collaborative investment approaches on a cross-border basis.

The most recent allocations were announced on 20 February 2024, representing the largest ever single package of Government funding for all-island investment. Work is continuing across all Government Departments to develop further Shared Island projects and programmes, with Northern Ireland Executive and other partners, and the Government will consider a further set of proposals over the coming months.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Ceisteanna (11)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

11. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach for an update on the Covid-19 evaluation; the timeline for publishing the terms of reference; and the reason for the delay. [35897/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

A comprehensive evaluation of how the country managed COVID-19 will provide an opportunity to learn lessons from our experiences in dealing with a pandemic.

It will include a review of the whole-of-government response to the pandemic and how we might do better and be in a stronger position if another pandemic or other similar type event were to occur.

It will include a consideration of the health service response covering hospitals, the community and nursing homes, along with the wider economic and social response.

It is intended to have a public element to hear the lived experiences of all society. The review should be undertaken by those independent of the national response and with relevant expertise.

A consultation with opposition parties and stakeholders has taken place on draft terms of reference.

The process of identifying a Chair is currently underway and thereafter, it is intended to bring the terms of reference to Government.