Written Answers Nos. 1-33
32. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Taoiseach with regard to the promised public inquiry into Covid-19, if he will clarify when he anticipates the terms of reference for that promised inquiry will be cleared with Government; and if he will commit to engaging fully with all concerned relevant stakeholders, advocacy groups, care workers, families and relatives of those affected. [54011/23]
View answerA 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.
A consultation with opposition party leaders is currently being scheduled.
It is intended to bring the terms of reference to Government shortly.
33. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Taoiseach the main policy achievements of his Department in 2023. [54072/23]
View answerDuring 2023, the Department of the Taoiseach has been working with Government Departments to progress work across a number of priority areas as follows:
· progress on the Housing for All Action Plan, with strong momentum in new homes this year with over 22,400 completed in the first three quarters and construction started on almost 24,000 more;
· three progress reports produced under Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23) showing an overall implementation rate of 67% on CAP23 to date;
· mobilising the cross-Government humanitarian response, with Ireland hosting over 100,000 people who have fled Ukraine since the invasion;
· the new Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office published its first Programme Plan in August and more recently a report setting out new measures in Budget 2024 to reduce child poverty and promote well-being;
· implementing policies targeting sustainable economic recovery, investment and job creation including the new national digital strategy and providing a comprehensive Cost-of-Living package to help families;
· comprehensive programme of dialogues and research by the Shared Island Unit underpinned by the Shared Island Fund;
· the Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use and the Final Report which is due by the end of the year;
· advancing Ireland’s role in Europe and the world, with continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East;
· continued engagement with the main political parties in Northern Ireland and the UK Government on the return of a functioning Assembly and Executive and delivery of the 40th British-Irish Council Summit at Dublin Castle;
· continued cross-Government focus on integrating the Well-being Framework into policymaking and expenditure decisions;
· continued work across the Department in a range of areas, including policing reform and community safety, supporting the work of the North East Inner City Initiative, Civil Service Renewal and three legislation programmes published to progress 128 priority bills during 2023.
