Bríd Smith
Question:23. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach to report on the progress of the public inquiry into nursing home deaths during Covid 19, which he promised in January 2023. [32555/23]
View answerPublic Inquiries
Questions (23)
Written answers
A 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.
The exact format that the evaluation will take is currently under consideration.
It is intended that it will be established in 2023.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (24)
Alan Dillon
Question:24. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on a Humanitarian Response to Ukraine will next meet. [32820/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine last met on Thursday, 6th of July.
This Committee, which I chair, works to ensure a coordinated approach to the State’s humanitarian response for people arriving from Ukraine who have sought Temporary Protection here.
The Government’s coordinated response to the humanitarian crisis is extensive. Since the start of this war, more than 87,500 people arriving from Ukraine have availed of temporary protection in Ireland.
To date, Ireland has accommodated over 89,000 people in state-sourced accommodation, between people who have fled here from Ukraine and people in international protection IPAS accommodation.
In the face of continuing arrivals, work is ongoing across Government to develop a medium-term, sustainable accommodation response.
All departments and agencies, as well as local government, are working to co-ordinate the State’s humanitarian response at a national and local level, with a particular focus on sourcing suitable accommodation in response to current demand pressures.
To date, the State’s response includes: continuing the national #offerahome campaign; providing pledged accommodation; preparing for installation of the next tranche of rapid-build homes over the summer period; and accelerating the refurbished buildings programme, that now includes consideration of commercial properties and sites for development, refurbishment or purchase and the use of alternative modular buildings.
Work is also ongoing across Government to intensify communications and community engagement on the humanitarian response.
In addition to meetings of the Cabinet Committee, I have regular engagements with Ministers at Cabinet and individually to discuss matters of concern for their Departments. Government continues its work with all relevant departments and agencies on the provision of services as part of the humanitarian response, including health services and education.
The Government is keeping our response to all aspects of this humanitarian crisis, in particular accommodation options, under continuous review.
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Questions (25)
Mattie McGrath
Question:25. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services will next meet. [33234/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services oversees implementation of Programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy and public services.
The Committee covers a range of topics, including immigration and integration, in the areas of social policy with a particular focus on equality and public service reform. Other topics covered by the Committee include sport, social protection, arts and culture and justice issues such as policing reform, community safety and domestic sexual and gender-based violence.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Public Services last met on 22 June and will meet again in the period ahead.
Cabinet Committees
Questions (26)
Bernard Durkan
Question:26. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs will meet next. [33969/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Cabinet Committee on EU and International Affairs was established by the Government on 18 January.
Its role is to oversee implementation of Programme for Government commitments in relation to the European Union and international issues.
The Committee generally meets in advance of meetings of the European Council. It last met on 22 June 2023 in advance of the June meeting of the European Council on 29/30 June. No date has been set as yet for its next meeting.
The European Council will next meet informally in Granada, Spain, on 6 October, and formally in Brussels on 26/27 October.
Questions Nos. 27 to 30, inclusive, resubmitted.