Written Answers Nos. 56-67
56. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the reason he does not intend to provide for compellability of witnesses who will not voluntarily co-operate with the Covid-19 inquiry; and, if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45167/24]
View answer64. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach to outline, in comprehensive detail, the full terms of reference of the Covid-19 inquiry announced by the Government recently. [45160/24]
View answer65. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach if the Covid-19 inquiry will have a special module on all nursing homes, public and private, and other long-term residential settings. [45162/24]
View answer66. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach if he sought the views of other persons or bodies involved in the Covid pandemic; if so, to list them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45166/24]
View answer67. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Taoiseach to outline his plans for a specific module on long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, with respect to the evaluation of the State's response to the Covid-19 pandemic; if this will include a mechanism for individuals, families and groups to meaningfully participate in the process and recount their experiences; if this process will review the State's elder care model and the impact of nursing home and home care privatisation on the State's response to the pandemic. [45261/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 64 to 67, inclusive, together.
Terms of Reference for the Evaluation of the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Terms of Reference for the Evaluation of the Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic are available on: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/924d6-government-appoints-chair-and-agrees-terms-of-reference-for-evaluation-of-the-response-to-the-covid-19-pandemic
Work on the development of the Terms of Reference has been very detailed. It included consideration of the WHO advice in respect of such reviews; the approach of several countries in setting the scope and outputs being sought; and experience of those processes.
A briefing session with opposition parties was held on 25 January at which high level terms of reference were shared (including the non-statutory approach). Feedback on the day was broadly positive and most of the issues raised are included in the terms of reference, e.g. decision-making framework including role of NPHET, use of evidence, nursing homes, impacts on children, vulnerable and disadvantaged communities, mental health, economic performance, sectoral trade-offs, role of media, vaccination programme, identifying where mistakes were made, hearing lived experiences. A minority were of the view that the evaluation should be statutory, or the nursing home element should be statutory.
A briefing session with stakeholders was held on 19 February at which the high-level terms of reference were discussed. Participants were broadly positive. Once again, most of the issues raised are covered within the terms of reference, e.g. impacts across society (including on children and young people; education (all age ranges); vulnerable groups; mental health; isolation; congregation; safeguarding), economic matters, workplace protocols and working from home, relationships with private entities, an accessible lived experience consultation process, a human rights approach, and an opportunity for the direct input of the voice of children and young people.
The following organisations were invited to participate, though not all were available to attend on the day: IBEC; Chambers Ireland; CIF; ICTU; SvP; INOU; NHI; Care Champions; Irish Patients Association; Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association; Mental Health Reform; Union of Students in Ireland; Irish Universities Association; Technological Higher Education Association; Aontas; Early Childhood Ireland; National Parents Council; Irish Second Level Students Union; Irish Association of Social Workers; Family Carers Ireland; C&V Pillar; The Wheel; Volunteer Ireland; Social Justice Ireland; Irish Rural Link; Irish Local Development Network; Irish Council for Social Housing; Pavee; Irish Refugee Council; Disability Federation Ireland; Disabled Persons Organisations Network; National Youth Council of Ireland; Children's Right Alliance; One Family; Sage Advocacy; Age Action Ireland; Alone; Safeguarding Ireland; National Women's Council; Irish Men's Sheds; Safe Ireland; Theatre Forum; IFA; ICMSA; MACRA; Irish Tourism Industry Confederation; IHREC; ICCL; Federation of Irish Sport; and Irish Penal Reform Trust.
The draft terms of reference were updated to reflect these consultations. The Government decided on an approach which it believes takes the best elements from that wider review and which is focused on providing real learning and lessons for the future.
How the Panel will Work
The COVID-19 Evaluation Panel will commence its work in January with preparations continuing in the interim period. The Panel should submit a final report to the Taoiseach in approximately 12-18 months. The Panel may submit interim reports on specific modules on any matters where evaluation points to immediate policy, system or practice improvements or changes.
A phased programme of work will be undertaken following a broad methodological approach which should avoid duplication of effort and harness existing sources to the greatest degree possible. The Panel will carry out a documentary analysis of existing plans, reports and other work already undertaken across Government and internationally to review specific aspects of Ireland’s response.
While the precise nature of the public aspects of the evaluation and engagement with the public will be a matter for the panel, Government has agreed that, as part of the information gathering:
• Submissions will also be sought from specific individuals, cohorts or their representatives
• There will be public consultation to hear accounts of the “lived experience” of anyone who wants to participate (including capturing the experiences of children and young people)
• There will be public events to allow for discussions with key-decision-makers on emerging topics.
• There will also be the opportunity for private sessions for deeper information gathering and the probing of submitted materials.
The overall objective of the evaluation is to learn for the future.
It is Government’s considered view that establishing the evaluation with a fact finding and lessons learned approach has a far greater chance of being completed with wide co-operation of relevant players in a non-adversarial atmosphere and likely to be concluded more quickly and achieve that objective. A statutory inquiry with powers of compellability would inevitably change the dynamic of the process and participation in it. An evaluation framed in this way provides great flexibility to the Chair in how the Panel will operate and will also avoid the demand for or need for legal representation.
It will be open to the Chair and the Panel, at any stage, to identify specific matters which require further investigation through separate processes.
The Chair and Panel can engage any additional expertise it believes it needs to complete its work. The Chair and the Panel will also have access to its own independent legal team as may be required.
Panel Independence and Support
In agreeing to the Terms of Reference, the Government also agreed that membership of the Panel should be separate from the organisations that are involved in the events that have led to the evaluation, or its commission and the evaluation should be able to reach its conclusions without the need for deference to any other party as to how to reach that conclusion.
It also agreed that there would need to be a multi-disciplinary aspect to the Panel to support the broader perspectives and an assessment “in the round” of the broad scope of interlinked policy decisions and impacts. Members will not include anyone directly involved in decision-making processes related to the pandemic.
Secretariat (administrative support) for the Evaluation Panel will be provided, in the normal way (such as for Tribunals, Commissions or Citizens’ Assemblies) by a dedicated team of civil servants seconded to this work. They will work for and report to the Chair for the duration of their assignment.
Approach to the Nursing Homes
It was very clear from the consultation on the terms of reference, that the Nursing Homes element is particularly important. For that reason, Government agreed that this merited a separate module of its own looking at the specific issues raised during the process.
It is worth noting that supporting nursing homes to respond to COVID-19 was an ongoing and central element of the State’s overall response throughout all phases of the pandemic. A range of supports were put in place early and these remained in place until they were no longer necessary. The Evaluation Panel will specifically examine the response to COVID-19 in long-term residential care facilities for older persons, leveraging all the work undertaken by Expert Panel on Nursing Homes.
• The Government also established an independent Nursing Homes Expert Panel early in the pandemic in May 2020 to examine the management of COVID-19 in nursing homes and provide real-time learnings and recommendations to inform the ongoing response.
• The Expert Panel reported in August 2020 and made a series of recommendations in relation to the ongoing response to COVID-19 at that time, and also made recommendations in relation to more wide-ranging reforms for the nursing home sector and older persons’ care more generally. Significant progress has already been made in implementing its recommendations and work on outstanding recommendations is ongoing.
Since then, the Government has also established a Commission on Care for Older People earlier this year to examine the health and social care services and supports provided to older people across the continuum of care and to make recommendations for their strategic development.
57. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach to provide an overview of the shared island programme since its launch in 2020, including the funding provided to each project and the initiatives supported, in tabular form. [43716/24]
View answerThe Government continues to prioritise and progress the Shared Island initiative, working with all communities and political traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
Since the launch of the Shared Island initiative in 2020, over €500m has been committed to a range of major cross-border projects and programmes, delivered in cooperation with the Northern Ireland Executive, and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners across the island. A full list of Shared Island Fund allocations to date is provided in tabular form.
Inclusive dialogue with all communities and political traditions is central to our approach on Shared Island. On 10 October, I launched a new Future Takes online interview series as part of the wide-ranging Shared Island Dialogue series. 15 artists and civic leaders from across this island and beyond, give their view on how, at this moment of opportunity and potential, we achieve more fully the promise of the Good Friday Agreement. On 20 September, I launched the Shared Island Youth Forum’s statement of vision and values for a shared future on the island. The Youth Forum’s work will inform and inspire how the Shared Island initiative develops further as we work for a shared, and more reconciled society on this island.
The Shared Island Unit is also continuing its research programme to deepen understanding of the island as a whole in economic, social, cultural, and political terms. The most recent Shared Island research by the Economic and Social Research Institute was published on 18 October on Drivers of Income Inequality in Ireland and Northern Ireland. All Shared Island research is published and available at to view at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/645ff-shared-island-research
Tabular information
|
Shared Island Fund allocations as of November 2024 |
|
Development of two new all-island bioeconomy demonstrator facilities - €7m Taken forward by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Pilot cooperation programme on educational attainment - €24m Taken forward by the Minister for Education in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Shared Island Enterprise scheme - €30m Taken forward by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Shared Island dimension to Community Climate Action Programme - €3m Taken forward by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications |
|
Shared Island Civic Society Fund - €2m (total €3m fund including D/FA contribution) Taken forward by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs |
|
North South Research Programme contribution (rounds 1 and 2, 2022-2027) - €50m Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
Ulster University - new teaching and student services building in Derry - €44.5m Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science in cooperation with Executive counterpart and Ulster University |
|
All-Island Co-Centres for Research and Innovation contribution - €20m Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in cooperation with Executive and UK Government counterparts |
|
Construction of respite and therapeutic centre for children diagnosed with cancer from across the island - €2.5m Taken forward by the Minister for Health |
|
Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge - €107m plus VAT. Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Phases 2 and 3 Ulster Canal restoration contribution - €47m Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Cross-border innovation hub - €12m - Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cooperation with Local Authority partners |
|
All-island peatlands and biosecurity projects - €11m Taken forward by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cooperation with Executive and Scottish Government counterparts |
|
Shared Island Local Authority development funding scheme - €5m Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
|
Renewed visitor experience at the Battle of the Boyne site - €10m Taken forward by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works |
|
Casement Park redevelopment contribution - €50m Taken forward by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Shared Island dimension to Creative Ireland and cultural heritage projects - €8m Taken forward by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
|
Tourism brand collaboration project - €7.6m Taken forward by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
All-Island arts capital investment projects - €7.4m Taken forward by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
|
Electric Vehicle charging point scheme for Sports Clubs across the island - €15m Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
|
Introduction of an hourly rail service between Dublin and Belfast - €12.5m Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
|
Completion of the cross-border Carlingford Lough Greenway - €1.5m Taken forward by the Minister for Transport in cooperation with Executive counterpart |
58. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Taoiseach the number of people employed in the manufacturing and servicing sectors in County Kildare, respectively; and the degree to which this number has fluctuated in the past five years. [43866/24]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available.
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q2 2024.
The LFS sectoral employment figures are based on the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification.
Due to the methodology and sample size of the survey it is not possible to produce reliable county estimates from the LFS. Regional estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 level. NUTS are the geocode standard developed and regulated by Eurostat.
The NUTS 3 Mid-East region includes counties Kildare, Louth, Meath and Wicklow.
Table 1 shows the number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) in the NACE Rev.2 Economic Sector C (Manufacturing) and Sector G-U (Total Services), Q2 2019 – Q2 2024.
There were 32,900 persons employed in Sector C Manufacturing in Q2 2019 in the NUTS 3 Mid-East region. There were 39,700 persons employed in Sector C Manufacturing in Q2 2024. This is an increase of 6,800 persons or 20.7% over the period.
There were 260,900 persons employed in Sector G-U Total Services in Q2 2019 in the NUTS 3 Mid-East region. There were 316,600 persons employed in Sector G-U Total Services in Q2 2024. This is an increase of 55,700 persons or 21.3% over the period.
Table 1 Number of persons aged 15 - 89 years in employment (ILO) In Mid-East region Q2 2019 - 2024
|
- |
Q2 2019 |
Q2 2020 |
Q2 2021 |
Q2 2022 |
Q2 2023 |
Q2 2024 |
|
Sector C Manufacturing |
32.9 |
36.5 |
38.0 |
40.5 |
39.5 |
39.7 |
|
Sector G-U Total services |
260.9 |
242.3 |
265.0 |
286.0 |
310.0 |
316.6 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: q2=Apr-Jun.
59. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach the number of staff vacancies, by grade, in his Department at the end of August 2023 and August 2024; and the number of staff, by grade, on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024. [44134/24]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach’s purpose is to help the Taoiseach and the Government to ensure a sustainable economy and a successful society, to pursue Ireland’s interests abroad, to implement the Government’s Programme and to build a better future for Ireland and all her citizens. The Department achieves this by building and sustaining a dynamic, agile and responsive workforce that supports the Taoiseach and the Government. The resourcing of business units within the Department evolves on an ongoing basis to reflect the national priorities outlined in the Programme for Government.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding career breaks is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Staff on career break longer than 5 years |
Staff on career break longer than 6 years |
|
August 2023 |
- |
1 |
|
August 2024 |
1 |
1 |
60. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; and the number of those in 2023 and 2024 who were on a career break of five years or more. [44311/24]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Staff, by grade, on career break longer than 5 years |
Total staff, by grade, on career break |
|
31st December 2023 |
Total: 1 Executive Officer (1) |
Total: 9 Clerical Officer (1) Executive Officer (2) Administrative Officer (4) Assistant Principal (1) Principal Officer (1) |
|
31st October 2024 |
Total: 2 Clerical Officer (1) Executive Officer (1) |
Total: 9 Clerical Officer (1) Executive Officer (2) Administrative Officer (4) Assistant Principal (1) Principal Officer (1) |
61. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 29 of 23 October 2024, the cost of importing electricity energy in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [44349/24]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
Table A: Imports of Electrical Energy 2020-(August) 2024
|
Product Group |
Jan-Dec 2020 |
Jan-Dec 2021 |
Jan-Dec 2022 |
Jan-Dec 2023 |
Jan-Aug 2024 |
|
Imports of Electrical Energy |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
Value (€000) |
|
Electric current |
73,974 |
326,868 |
362,261 |
449,579 |
374,755 |
62. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies;and if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill. [44384/24]
View answerI am satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by the Department of the Taoiseach. The Department engages with all staff approaching the end of their career break with a view to facilitating their return to work.
63. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by his Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44869/24]
View answerThe Department of the Taoiseach has a contract for the supply of mobile phones and associated services.
Mobile phones are provided to staff in the Department where a defined business need has been established e.g. where staff provide on-call services; where staff are required to work off-site regularly; and where staff regularly take calls/work outside of standard working hours, etc.
Staff who travel abroad on official business are placed on appropriate tariffs, where available, in order to reduce costs associated with international roaming.
All staff are required to reimburse the Department for any additional expenses incurred which are not related to official business.
Mobile phones are replaced when they are at ‘end-of-life’. The Department of the Taoiseach’s current mobile phone contract provides a mechanism to either purchase the mobile phone upgrade outright or to spread the cost of the upgrade over the term of the contract and avail of further reduced rates by doing so. Availing of the discounted rate is the preferred option and applies to all current phones.
The data requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below.
|
Year |
Total Costs related to mobile phones |
No. of new devices issued |
|
2022 |
€75,548.82 |
27 [of which 10 were upgrades] |
|
2023 |
€140,817.45 |
103 [of which 90 were upgrades] |
|
2024 to date |
€59,618.12 |
42 [of which 29 were upgrades] |
