Cian O'Callaghan
Question:28. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Taoiseach for an update on the child poverty and well-being unit. [1399/24]
View answerChild Poverty
Questions (28)
Written answers
The work of the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office is to prioritise action across government in areas that will have the greatest affect for children and families experiencing poverty.
From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025 was published last year and is the initial Programme Plan for the Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach. The programme builds on six focus areas identified by Government which have the potential to bring about significant change for families and children.
The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to co-ordinate and focus government action.
To facilitate this, the Office has established a Cross-Government Network on Child Poverty and Well-being. The Network has met twice to date, with a further meeting scheduled for Q1 2024.
The Programme also envisages a national Child Poverty and Well-Being Summit in 2024. This will be a pivotal moment to take stock of progress and shape the agenda for future action on child poverty.
As well as driving implementation of commitments on the six focus areas, the Office will also undertake strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of cross-government responses.
The first of these was a commitment to assisting children and their families, with a particular focus on those who are experiencing poverty, in Budget 2024.
The Programme Office applied a cross-government approach, that culminated in the development of the report Breaking the Cycle: New Measures in Budget 2024 to Reduce Child Poverty and Promote Well-being published on 14 November.
The report captures new and increased Budget spending across 12 government departments and reveals how the new budget focus is accelerating and deepening our collective ambition for children.
Questions Nos. 29 to 43, inclusive, resubmitted.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (44)
Bernard Durkan
Question:44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent visit to World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. [2758/24]
View answerWritten answers
I attended the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos from 17 to 19 January. My programme included an IDA Ireland event where I met with business leaders from the manufacturing, chemical, technology, and finance sectors.
I attended a foreign policy-focused event organised by the Washington Post, with other European leaders, heads of prominent international organisations, and members of the US administration.
I also participated in a panel discussion on the Hard Power of AI , which reflected on the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence.
During my visit, I had a series of meetings with a range of international and political leaders. This included Prime Minister Recean of Moldova, to whom I reaffirmed Ireland’s continued backing for Moldova’s EU membership aspirations, and President Thangam of Singapore.
I also met with the Chair of Open Society Foundations to discuss our shared commitment to the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, particularly in our current geopolitical environment.
In addition to meeting with global leaders, I met with senior representatives of multinational companies with a significant imprint in Ireland. These meetings are typically an opportunity for company executives to update me on progress with their operations in Ireland, and their future development plans.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (45)
Alan Farrell
Question:45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to report on his engagements at the World Economic Forum. [2788/24]
View answerWritten answers
I attended the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos from 17 to 19 January. My programme included an IDA Ireland event where I met with business leaders from the manufacturing, chemical, technology, and finance sectors.
I attended a foreign policy-focused event organised by the Washington Post, with other European leaders, heads of prominent international organisations, and members of the US administration.
I also participated in a panel discussion on the Hard Power of AI , which reflected on the opportunities and challenges of Artificial Intelligence.
During my visit, I had a series of meetings with a range of international and political leaders. This included Prime Minister Recean of Moldova, to whom I reaffirmed Ireland’s continued backing for Moldova’s EU membership aspirations, and President Thangam of Singapore.
I also met with the Chair of Open Society Foundations to discuss our shared commitment to the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, particularly in our current geopolitical environment.
In addition to meeting with global leaders, I met with senior representatives of multinational companies with a significant imprint in Ireland. These meetings are typically an opportunity for company executives to update me on progress with their operations in Ireland, and their future development plans.
Questions Nos. 46 to 50, inclusive, resubmitted.
Mother and Baby Homes
Questions (51)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:51. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the investigation into a matter (details supplied). [2774/24]
View answerWritten answers
In advance of the Government considering the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation on Mother and Baby Homes certain information relating to matters in the Report was disclosed in a newspaper article.
In that context, the then Taoiseach requested that an investigation be carried out. The investigation was conducted by a senior official in my Department and received full co-operation from those concerned. The investigation was concluded and reported to the then Taoiseach in December 2022.
Given that information relevant to the matters in the Report had been circulated widely in advance of the Government’s meeting, the investigation concluded that it was not possible to establish with any certainty whether or by whom information relating to matters in the Report may have been disclosed in advance of the Government’s consideration of the Report.
In conjunction with the conduct of the investigation, further work is being carried out to enhance the arrangements currently in place for the management of documents for Government meetings and the Cabinet Handbook is currently being reviewed to be updated as necessary.
On the publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation on Mother and Baby Homes, the Tánaiste and I acknowledged the State’s failures and apologised for the profound wrong visited on Irish mothers and their children who ended up in a mother and baby institution or a county home.
The Government’s focus since the publication of the Commission’s report has been to put in place a suite of actions aimed at responding to the priority needs and concerns of those who spent time in a mother and baby institution or a county home.
Minister O’Gorman and his Department have made very significant progress in advancing the Government’s Action Plan and the work is continuing on implementation.
Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements
Questions (52)
Alan Farrell
Question:52. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Taoiseach to report on his recent engagement with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. [2789/24]
View answerWritten answers
I welcomed Premier Li Qiang to Ireland on 17 January for a working visit which marked 45 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and China. In addition to our bilateral meeting, there was a working lunch which included several Chinese ministers; the Governor of the Central Bank of China; the Tánaiste; and Ministers Ryan, Foley, McConalogue and Coveney.
I had a productive meeting with Premier Li and his delegation. We agreed there is more we can do together economically, including in bilateral trade.
The Premier confirmed that the pause on beef exports to China has been lifted.
Premier Li also confirmed China’s unilateral decision to extend a visa exemption to Irish nationals wishing to travel to China for 15 days or less. This is good news for those doing business in China and for encouraging educational and other people-to-people exchanges.
We also discussed global issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the Middle East.
I was clear that our relationship must be based on values. I expressed our strong commitment to a rules-based international order, based on the UN Charter and a respect for fundamental rights.
As we do in all our engagements with the Chinese government, I raised human rights with Premier Li, including our deep concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and in Hong Kong, as well as the specific case of Jimmy Lai. I welcomed the resumption of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue to discuss these, and other issues including Tibet and the situation regarding Human Rights Defenders.
Questions Nos. 53 to 67, inclusive, resubmitted.