Citizens' Assembly

Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Ceisteanna (78, 79)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

78. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will list the citizens assemblies which have been held in the past two decades, by title; and the total cost of each assembly. [49984/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

79. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on the provision of alcohol at each citizens assembly, in tabular form; and if a free bar was provided at these assemblies. [49985/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

While funded from the Vote of the Department of the Taoiseach, Citizens' Assemblies operate independently of the Department.

The table below details the expenditure incurred by the Department on Citizens' Assemblies.

2016 - 2018 Citizens' Assembly	Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality	Dublin Citizens’ Assembly*	Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss*	Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use
€2,049,098.91	€1,501,531.76	€657,133.62	€953,226.99	€1,642,056.17

*A portion of pay costs for the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss were borne by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and, therefore, are not included in this table.

The Department understands that in some instances - where the schedule of a Citizens' Assembly included an evening meal or reception - a small amount of alcohol may have been served.

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 78.