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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 1 - 107

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (15)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

15. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the number of staff assigned to the Government Information Service. [39726/18]

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Written answers

Following the review conducted by the Secretary General earlier in the year, it was agreed that the Department should revert to a reformed GIS model, with a smaller budget, less staff and a more limited role.

Accordingly, the budget has been been reduced by 50%. The staff numbers have been reduced by 4.

In further alignment with the Secretary General's report, the reformed GIS team now incorporates the Government Press Office, giving a total of 17 on the newly combined team.

The civil servants in the reformed Government Information Service come under the management of the Assistant Secretary for Corporate Affairs, while respecting the role of the Government Press Secretary and the Deputy and Assistant Government Press Secretaries in day-to-day management of press and communications.

The work of the reformed Government Information Service includes; the work of the Government Press Office, the digital team/merrionstreet.ie, central support services for other Departments, providing services to the media, managing media events and producing communications material across all platforms.

GIS is supporting the development of the single Government identity, the single web portal project, gov.ie and capacity building in communications across Government. GIS continues to have a co-ordinating and supporting role for national, cross-Government communications, as has always been the case, but such campaigns are being led and funded by the relevant line Department.

Questions Nos. 16 to 19, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Questions (20)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

20. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee B on social policy and public services last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [38476/18]

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Written answers

Cabinet Committee B last met on 7th June and is scheduled to meet on Monday next, 22nd October, 2018.

The Committee, which covers the areas of Social Policy and Public Service Reform, ensures a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government, and provides the opportunity to shape proposals on issues such as equality, disability and disadvantage which require input from multiple Departments.

Work continues as always on the agenda items to make further progress.

Questions Nos. 21 to 28, inclusive, resubmitted.

EU Meetings

Questions (29, 30)

Seán Haughey

Question:

29. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the informal meeting of EU leaders in Salzburg; if the issue of immigration was discussed by the Heads of State and Government in attendance; and the details of the bilateral meetings he had on the margins of the meeting. [39410/18]

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Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

30. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent informal meeting of Heads of State and Government. [39898/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.

I attended the Informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Salzburg on 19 and 20 September. This was one of a series of Summits relating to the Future of Europe.

On this occasion, our focus was on migration and internal security. We also took the opportunity to discuss progress in the negotiations on Brexit.

On migration, we had a useful exchange on how best to progress the comprehensive approach we agreed at the June European Council. This involves working to secure our external borders and to strengthen cooperation with countries of origin and transit; and dealing with the management of migrants within the EU.

On internal security, the issues we discussed included the increasing complexity of the cyber threats we face, including to the integrity of our electoral systems.

There were no formal Conclusions adopted, but the outcome of our discussions will feed into the next meeting of the European Council, which takes place in Brussels later this week, on 17 and 18 October

Our discussions on Brexit, which took place in Article 50 format, provided an opportunity to review progress in the negotiations and discuss next steps. I reiterated the need for a legally operable version of the backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement, and thanked EU partners for their ongoing support and solidarity on this issue. I emphasised my hope that the future relationship between the EU and the UK will be as close and comprehensive as possible, but reiterated that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, with a robust and legally watertight backstop, must be agreed first.

I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister May in the margins of the Summit on Thursday, 20 September, in which we discussed the state of play in the Brexit negotiations, as well as developments in relation to Northern Ireland.

I also took the opportunity to engage informally with the other EU Heads of State or Government in the margins of the meeting.

I look forward to meeting with my EU counterparts again at the European Council in Brussels this week.

Questions Nos. 31 to 33, inclusive, resubmitted.

Cabinet Committee Meetings

Questions (34)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

34. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach when Cabinet committee D on infrastructure last met; and when it is scheduled to meet again. [39899/18]

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Written answers

The Committee last met on 1 February this year and the next meeting has been scheduled for 15 November.

As I have previously indicated to the House, Cabinet Committee D works to ensure a coordinated approach to the delivery and ongoing development of policy in relation to infrastructure investment and delivery, housing, and climate action.

There is significant work underway on each of these areas across Government departments and agencies, in particular through regular discussion of these matters at meetings of Government.

The Committee also provides a forum for oversight of the delivery of Project Ireland 2040, the Government’s overarching policy initiative to achieve balanced development and meet the infrastructure needs of our growing population.

Under Project Ireland 2040 four funds, totalling €4 billion in investment, have been launched to stimulate renewal and investment in rural and urban areas, the environment and innovation. All four funds were launched in May this year, with the application deadlines now closed for the first round of proposals. The relevant Departments are reviewing all applications received, with decisions on successful applications for the first round of funding expected over the coming months and the first projects to commence in early 2019.

The Land Development Agency, another cornerstone initiative of Project Ireland 2040, has also been set up and is working to ensure the optimum management of State land through strategic development and regeneration, with an immediate focus on delivering homes, including social and affordable homes.

Housing remains a central priority for the Government. We are seeing an increase in the number of new and refurbished houses available year on year – however, we are very aware that a huge challenge remains in meeting demand and tackling the ongoing issues in the housing market.

We are continuing to focus on increasing housing supply, tackling homelessness and increasing the availability of affordable and social housing. In addition to the work underway through Project Ireland 2040 and Rebuilding Ireland, Budget 2019 provides for an increase of 25% in the housing budget for next year.

Climate action objectives are also at the heart of Project Ireland 2040 and, building on the National Mitigation Plan, an investment of €22 billion in Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding will ensure a step change in climate action policy.

In Budget 2019, a number of additional new measures were introduced to help lower carbon emissions including, a new accelerated capital allowances scheme for gas-propelled vehicles and refuelling equipment.

Questions Nos. 35 to 37, inclusive, resubmitted.

Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements

Questions (38)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

38. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with the British Prime Minister, Mrs. Theresa May. [39900/18]

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Written answers

I had a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Theresa May in the margins of the Informal Summit in Salzburg on Thursday 20 September.

During the meeting, I reiterated that I hope the future relationship between the EU and the UK will be as close, comprehensive and ambitious as possible, but that it is essential that the Withdrawal Agreement, including the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, is agreed first.

I stressed too, that there is not much time left if we are to conclude a Withdrawal Agreement, and have it operational by the time the UK leaves the EU.

The Prime Minister said that the UK would be bringing forward proposals for a backstop.

I also raised the current political situation in Northern Ireland and underlined the need to get the devolved institutions up and running again.

I look forward to seeing the Prime Minister at the European Council in Brussels this week.

Questions Nos. 39 and 40 resubmitted.

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Questions (41)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

41. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the international, European Union and Northern Ireland division of his Department. [39828/18]

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Written answers

The International, EU and Northern Ireland Division of my Department works on all international, EU and British-Irish and Northern Ireland affairs within the Department, including on Brexit.

The Division supports me in my international role including as a member of the European Council, and in my other EU and international engagements. The Division also provides advice and support to me in relation to Northern Ireland Affairs and British Irish relations.

This includes support for my international engagements, including meetings of the European Council and other EU Summits, bilateral engagements with heads of Government of EU Member States and other countries and in respect of international affairs more generally.

The Division also supports the work of Cabinet Committee C, which deals with EU Affairs and Brexit, and works closely with other relevant departments, notably the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Questions Nos. 42 to 55, inclusive, resubmitted.
Questions Nos. 56 to 107, inclusive, will be answered on Thursday, 18 October 2018.
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