Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
1278. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide details of all active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups organised under his remit. [10161/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to working with stakeholders to ensure collaboration, evidence informed policy design, effective implementation structures and robust oversight of policy and programme delivery. As a result, there are a range of relevant working groups, as detailed in the table below.
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Active interdepartmental, interagency, and department-agency working groups |
Objective of group |
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An Coiste Comhairleach um an nGaeilge sa Réimse Digiteach |
To advise the Minister on state policy and actions regarding the development of the Irish language in the digital and technological sphere. |
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An Coiste Idirghníomhaireachta um an Straitéis d’Ealaíona Teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge |
To advise the Minister on state policy and actions regarding the Irish language-based arts and related Strategy. |
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An Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge |
The preparation and submission to the Minister for approval of a National Plan for the provision of public services through the medium of the Irish language. That National Plan was approved by the Government and published in October 2024. |
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Grúpa Oibre Teicniúla faoin bPlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge |
To lead the development and execution of strategies relating to the implementation of the objectives outlined in Major Strategic Theme 3, and in Sections 9A and 9B of the Official Languages Act. |
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Coiste Monatóireachta Ár nOileáin Bheo/ Our Living Islands Monitoring Committee |
Monitoring the implementation of Our Living Islands Policy and Action Plan |
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An Coiste Logainmneacha |
To advise the Minister in regard to the Irish language placenames of Ireland as set out in article 31 of the An Coiste – Official Languages Act 2003. |
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Fóram Pleanála Teanga na nÚdarás Áitiúil |
A forum between local authorities to focus on language planning policy |
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Irish Language Advisory Committee |
A committee aimed at promoting Irish language initiatives and programming across all media platforms |
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An Coiste Comhairleach/ Advisory Committee |
Oversee delivery of the Gaelbhratach scheme against agreed strategic objectives |
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Interpreting Careers in the EU Institutions and the Houses of the Oireachtas Service in Ireland |
Explore opportunities, share insights, and consider collaborative approaches to promoting and supporting interpreting careers in the European context. |
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Interdepartmental Group on the Dormant Account Funds |
To administer and manage the Dormant Accounts Fund across Government Departments, in line with the legislation. |
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DRCDG Agency Oversight Group |
A biannual meeting between the Department’s Management Board and the Chairpersons and CEOs of its agencies to discuss governance and operational matters. There are ICT and Communications subgroups in place. Also individual line units have oversight and liaison responsibility for each of the Department’s agencies and these line units regularly engage with the agencies. |
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Capital Delivery Teams (CDT) Advisory Group |
The CDT Advisory Group is comprised of members of the CCMA’s Rural Community Culture and Heritage Committee, as well as staff from the department and the LGMA. It meets quarterly to discuss issues of relevance to the CDT initiative. |
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Cross Sectoral Group (CSG) on Local and Community Development |
To provide feedback, guidance and advice to the Department in relation to the implementation of the governments strategy for the Community and Voluntary Sector, advise and input into annual work plans, and provide insights into developments, opportunities and emerging trends in the community and voluntary sector in Ireland and internationally. |
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LCDC National and Local Communications Campaign of Awareness |
A Working Group to develop a national and local awareness campaign in relation to the role and function of the Local Community Development Committees and raise their profile. |
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Revision of the guidelines for the operation of Local Community Development Committees. |
The Group oversees and advises on the review and revision of the existing Guidelines (2016) and seeks to further underpin Section 128E of the Regulations, with a view to supporting local authorities and creating a common general approach to the operation of LCDCs. |
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Interdepartmental group on Outdoor Recreation. |
Advisory group made up of reps from various Government Departments who are involved in outdoor recreation and who are supporting the implementation of the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023-2027. |
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SICAP Forum |
Chaired by Department, meetings with Pobal, SICAP Programme Implementer and LCDC representatives, providing feedback on programme operations, programme policy, any local operational challenges etc. and develop responses to address. |
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Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) Working Group |
Quarterly meetings between Department, LDCN CEO, LCDCs and LDCs representatives to discuss ongoing work under the Empowering Communities Programme, upcoming work, programme management, expenditure etc. |
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Trading for Impact, National So Enterprise Policy 2024-2027, Stakeholder Engagement Group |
To coordinate the delivery of the Trading for Impact Policy and support Social Enterprises |
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SICAP Community Development Quality Standards Framework Working Group |
Engagement with key stakeholders from community sector, to develop a Quality Standards Framework to capture best practice approaches for future implementation under SICAP. |
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SICAP Case Study Working Group |
Department and Pobal working group with SICAP Programme implementers and LCDC representation to develop and refine approach to highlighting case studies under the programme and provide guidance to the wider programme on case study reporting. |
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National Philanthropy Policy Implementation and Monitoring Group (IMG) |
With representation from other government departments, public bodies and stakeholders of the philanthropy sector, the IMG ensure the successful implementation of this policy. |
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PPN National Advisory Committee |
To provide strategic guidance, advice and support to PPNs and to DRCDG to ensure that PPNs may continue to enable community participation in local government policymaking. |
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PPN Roadmap Implementation Working Group |
To support the implementation of the PPN Roadmap. |
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National Volunteering Strategy Implementation Group |
To oversee and support delivery of the National Volunteering Strategy. DRCDG, government depts and agencies, civil society stakeholders. |
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Consultative Panel on the Advancement of Human Rights as a Charitable Purpose |
A Statutory Consultative Panel to examine how the Regulator might deal with applications from organisations applying for charitable status and charities who wish to add the advancement of human rights to their existing charitable purpose(s). |
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Our Rural Future 2021-2025 – Implementation and Advisory Group |
Advisory group made up of representatives from various Government Departments and agencies who are involved in supporting the implementation of Our Rural Future 2021-2025. |
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Comhairle na Tuaithe (the Countryside Council) |
Non statutory advisory group to the Minister on outdoor recreation. It is made up of stakeholder representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies (Government Depts and agencies) with a responsibility or interest in the countryside. |
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Interdepartmental Group – IDG for Our Rural Future 2026-2031 |
Advisory group made up of representatives from various Government Departments who are involved in supporting the development of Our Rural Future 2026-2031. |
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National Hub Network Interdepartmental Group |
Oversight of strategic development of Ireland’s National Hubs Network |
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National Hub Network Interdepartmental Group – Strategy Working Group |
Subgroup of the National Hub Network Interdepartmental Group providing advice on new National Hub Strategy |
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TCF National Oversight and Advisory Group |
To oversee the delivery and implementation process of the Town Centre First policy and to provide a shared forum for engaging across Government |
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LEADER Forum |
Considers the implementation of the 2023 – 2027 LEADER Programme. |
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2023-2027 LEADER Programme Operating Rules Working Group |
Continually review the operating rules to ensure compliance with all EU and national regulatory requirements. |
