Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:8. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [18288/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 21 May 2024
Ceisteanna (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Marc Ó Cathasaigh
Ceist:9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [20534/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:10. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [20566/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Mick Barry
Ceist:11. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21361/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:12. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21749/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Paul Murphy
Ceist:13. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21752/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCian O'Callaghan
Ceist:14. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the well-being framework launched by his Department. [21761/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (20 píosaí cainte)
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together.
Ireland’s well-being framework is a programme for Government initiative to measure progress and policy impact in Ireland in a more holistic way. The framework was launched in 2021. We are now focused on embedding this approach into the Irish policy-making system.
The framework consists of 11 dimensions which are made up of different aspects of well-being. It is supported by a dashboard, hosted by the CSO comprising a representative set of 35 indicators that brings together economic, social and environmental statistics in an integrated way. Analysis of the framework is published annually and integrated into the budget process. This analysis looks at Ireland’s progress over time and also our performance in comparison to other countries. Drafting of this year's report is at an advanced stage. I look forward to bringing it to Cabinet and publishing it in the coming weeks.
As was the case for budget 2023 and budget 2024, the well-being framework will again feature this year at the national economic dialogue and will form part of the summer economic statement. Analysis of the dashboard will contribute to the preparation of budget day documentation.
Departments are progressing work to implement the approach into policy development and decision-making. The Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform has undertaken significant work in this area, in particular in the context of a well-being tagging initiative that uses the framework to support cross-Government understanding of expenditure allocations, inform prioritisation considerations and enhance transparency. Other Departments are progressing sectoral approaches aligned to the well-being framework to improve performance measurement, support policy analysis and allow us to better understand Government's impact on quality of life in Ireland.
The well-being framework helps us to assess where we are and informs us to make better choices and decisions in the future. The Government is committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens. Implementing the framework into policy-making will support that commitment.
I am an enthusiastic supporter of the well-being framework and the move to go beyond GDP in how we assess the health of our economy in order to remind ourselves that the economy should work for society and not the other way around. I want to raise three issues that should be part of the discussion on how we implement it.
First, the Taoiseach mentioned the summer economic statement and the national economic dialogue. We really have to stitch the framework into these. It has to involve more than just tagging. It has to be more than just window-dressing. It has to be central to the entire budgetary process.
Second, we need a watchdog with teeth to make sure that this happens. In Wales, that role is discharged ably by the Office of the Future Generations Commissioner. Second Stage of a Bill I tabled will be taken in the Dáil next Thursday. I have asked to meet with the Taoiseach to discuss it. The UN Summit of the Future coming up in September. There is a great opportunity for Ireland and, indeed, the Taoiseach to bring something positive to that summit in terms of what we want to do about future generations.
Third, I have advocated consistently for an 11th dimension around culture and language. The well-being framework, as it is currently constituted, has very little to say about culture and has practically nothing at all to say about language. How we feel within society is so pivotal in terms of the cultural experience and our ability to express ourselves in our own language.
The Taoiseach has made great play of his opinions on law and order. Why is he not taking action against employers who break the law? Less than half a mile from here, there is a construction project that is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works and that is 100% funded by the taxpayer. Organisers from Unite the Union recently consulted with the workers on that project and found that more than 50% of them are members of a pension scheme. The union also has serious questions about the level of bogus self-employment on this site. The pension situation is a breach of the public sector pay agreement. It is a breach of the sectoral employment order and it is a breach of the law. The union wrote to the Minister about this more than a week ago. They have yet to receive an acknowledgement, let alone a full reply. Will the Taoiseach commit to writing to the relevant Departments reminding them of their obligations under the terms of the public sector agreement to consult with the unions at the various stages of tendering? Will he instruct the Minister to meet with Unite to discuss this issues and other matters going forward? The site in question is on Leeson Lane and the main contractor is Duggan Brothers.
I ask Deputies for co-operation with time now.
One of the important categories in the well-being framework is housing. There is nothing more damaging to the well-being of children and families than living in very poor housing conditions. An increasing phenomena is of mothers, fathers and children being crammed into tiny spaces, which is seriously damaging to the well-being and mental health and physical health of children. When there is medical evidence to back the need to prioritise such people for housing, local authorities are increasingly refusing medical priority because of the lack of available three-and four-bedroom social housing units.
I thank the Deputy.
The decision about prioritising the physical or mental health of children and families should be based on the medical evidence, not on the availability or lack of availability of certain types of housing. This needs to be addressed.
I thank the Deputy. I have to move on.
A crucial element of well-being should be investment in our parks and green spaces. We had quite a successful campaign, led by Jess Spear, for investment in Watergate Park. We got agreement for bins, lighting and picnic benches, but one of the key issues was the issue of park rangers. The campaign was told by the local authority not to worry as the park rangers from Tymon Park take care of Watergate Park. We have since found out that this is not the case. The park rangers from Tymon Park never come to Watergate Park. In fact, there are only two park rangers in Tymon Park, the second biggest park in Dublin, while there are correctly six in Corkagh Park in Clondalkin. They lack proper equipment. They have no vehicle capable of going off-road in the park meaning if there was an incident or security issue, it could take 20 minutes to get there.
I thank the Deputy.
Does the Taoiseach agree that we need to have more investment and more park rangers to properly service and take care of our parks?
I want to bring up the issue of the De La Salle College in Dundalk and an autism unit. There was one autism class last year. It was put in a class that was freed up by a teacher. There will be a prefab unit that that class can go into.
This is a very specific issue.
I know. The problem is we are talking about a number of families. We are talking about five families that have been told there is no room at the inn. It is a four-way conversation including the school, the NCSE and the families. We just need to bring it to some sort of completion. The problem is if the school building programme had been earlier, we would have had the solution with the two classes.
I am finding myself having to stop the Deputy.
I am sure the Taoiseach remembers the early instalments of Harry Potter when he lived under the stairs in a little alcove. When I see this particular topic of well-being framework, it reminded me of that because yesterday we were in Ballinamore and Drumshambo in County Leitrim with the Minister for housing opening some new houses. One of the houses I visited was that of a family there that have a little boy with autism. When he has particular bad meltdowns, they need a place for him to go and the only place they have to put him is under the stairs. They have lights in under the stairs, a little place where he can go in - a cubbyhole - and he sits there. They go in and cuddle him there. It is not big enough or spacious enough. The boy is nine. They have contacted the HSE. They have contacted the local authority. The multidisciplinary team came out and approved that under the stairs was an appropriate place for him to be. We need to recognise that some of the places that we are putting our children, and approving as being adequate, in our society are well in breach of a well-being framework.
I commend all the communities across Ireland that are seeking to make their town autism-friendly towns. In particular, Ballina is getting together next Thursday to do that. I ask the Taoiseach for his commitment around resourcing the actions that they agree within these towns because it is an important development. It has also happened in Castlebar and many other towns.
There were a variety of issues and I thank the Deputies.
I would be pleased to meet Deputy Ó Cathasaigh on his legislation and to discuss the 11th dimension that he believes is needed in the context of the dashboard around the culture and language. I agree. that the purpose here is, to use the Deputy's words "to stitch" the well-being framework to our budgetary process. I would be happy to meet him on his legislation and very happy to have that discussion about how we monitor, who is the watchdog, etc. My office will be in touch with the Deputy to arrange that with him.
In response to Deputy Barry, I will ask the line Minister to, of course, engage with the trade union. We generally have good engagement processes with unions. We obviously have the Labour Employer Economic Forum structure, that I chair, as well. I have a meeting of that scheduled quite shortly. It is a chance to bring employers and trade unions together with Government.
Of course, the Government should always honour public sector agreements, as should all parties to those agreements. I do not think there is a need for me to write to people in that regard. It is absolutely the position of the Government. I will, however, refer to the line Minister the specific issue the Deputy raised regarding the concerns of the union.
On the matter raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett, I remember from my time as a councillor and my work as a constituency TD that medical priority was always a very important part of the accommodation scheme and the letting priorities of any local authority. I am not suggesting that local authorities are not under real pressure regarding the decisions they have to make, but I would not like to see any deviation from the importance of medical prioritisation. I will certainly look into that further.
I am not across the detail of park rangers, but I thank Deputy Murphy for raising the issue of Watergate Park. From a well-being point of view, I very much share his view that parks, open spaces and amenities are a crucial part of our mental and physical well-being. Park rangers certainly play a very important role. I would like to see an expansion in the number of park rangers. I will ask the relevant Minister to engage with the Deputy on that.
I thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising the important issue of De La Salle College and the provision of adequate facilities for autism students. This can be a stressful time for parents. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, to try to pull together the various agencies the Deputy has engaged with.
I send my best to the little boy with autism mentioned by Deputy Kenny and to his family. I always like to see the housing adaptation grants as a way forward. Generally, and I have a lot of experience with this in my constituency, they work well, but I take the point he made. We need to continue to support housing adaptation grants so that a family with a child with additional needs who requires additional space or modification-----
It is a local authority.
This is a local authority. I take the point. That should be taken into consideration before people are housed. I would have thought that it was, although that is not to comment on the specifics of this case.
As I travel throughout the country, I visit many towns that are becoming autism-friendly towns. I am delighted to hear about Ballina and Castlebar from Deputy Conway-Walsh. The Government has a role to play there, as do local authorities. It is important for everybody that these autism plans are implemented. If a community comes together to say they want their town to be inclusive, the Government should of course support them in that regard.