Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:31. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the housing and infrastructure unit of his Department. [19799/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Functions
Ceisteanna (31)
Freagraí scríofa
The Housing and Infrastructure Unit supports me and the Government in building a successful society and economy through sustainable economic development; with a particular focus on housing and infrastructure policy.
This includes supporting the work of the Cabinet Committee on Housing which oversees the delivery of Housing for All.
The Unit monitors implementation of the Housing for All and prepares quarterly progress reports. The most recent of these, for Q1 2022, was published in April and shows strong progress towards fundamental reform of the housing system, and the implementation of measures to increase the supply of quality and affordable housing.
While we are seeing good progress, and we are confident that our targets for housing delivery for 2022 will be met, we fully recognise that there are many challenges to be overcome - including ongoing inflationary pressures and supply chain issues.
Given the need for accommodation arising from our humanitarian response to the situation in Ukraine, delivering on the plan is more important than ever. The Cabinet Committee will maintain focus on this delivery.
The unit supports the delivery of wider public investment through Project Ireland 2040 which falls under the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment.
As part of the broader Economic Division, it maintains an overview of progress in key policy areas in line with Government priorities, and provides me with briefing and speech material on relevant policy issues.
The unit also develops the National Risk Assessment, which plays an important role in promoting an open and inclusive discussion on the strategic risks facing the country. The National Risk Assessment for 2021/2022 was published in December.
Questions Nos. 32 to 36, inclusive, resubmitted.
Departmental Functions
Ceisteanna (37)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:37. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the work of the public service, justice and policing reform division of his Department. [19800/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Public Service, Justice and Policing Reform Unit is part of the Social Policy and Public Service Reform Division of my Department.
The work of the Unit:
Supports me, in my role as Taoiseach, on policing reform, criminal justice, public service reform, social affairs and other related matters;
Incorporates the Policing Reform Implementation Programme Office which oversees the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future – the Government’s Plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland; and
Supports the Civil Service Management Board, including the Civil Service Renewal programme; and contributes to the oversight and governance of the new Public Services Reform Plan.
The unit also assists the work of the Cabinet Committee on Social Affairs and Equality and the associated senior officials' group established to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services.
In addition, the section has departmental oversight of the National Economic and Social Council.
Question No. 38 resubmitted.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (39)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:39. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent discussions with the Prime Minister of Ukraine. [21767/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I met Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in Shannon on 20 April.
Prime Minister Shmyhal gave me a first-hand account of events on the ground in Ukraine, of the appalling killings in Bucha in particular, and the continuing attacks on civilians and on towns.
The Prime Minister outlined some clear objectives, around financial assistance to enable the Ukrainian Government to keep essential services going while reiterating the determination of the Ukrainian Government to protect their people and to resist the ongoing aggression by Russian forces.
I assured him of Ireland’s strong proactive support for Ukraine’s application to join the European Union.
We also discussed a sixth round of sanctions to create further pressure on Russia and to create a strengthened deterrent against the continuation of this war.
I assured the Prime Minister of Ireland’s strong support for Ukraine, including providing supports for those who have arrived in Ireland having had to flee their homes in Ukraine.
Programme for Government
Ceisteanna (40)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:40. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach the mechanism by which his Department will review progress made in implementing the Programme for Government. [21768/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government has been working hard to implement the commitments in the Programme for Government across a wide range of issues in all Departments.
The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect a broad range of policy areas that it will work on during its lifetime as set out in the Programme for Government.
Cabinet Committees meet regularly to continue this work.
Strategy Statements which have been prepared by departments reflect the key national priorities as outlined in the Programme for Government.
My Department has been involved in progressing some key Programme for Government commitments in recent months, including:
- Ongoing monitoring and management of the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of both COVID and non-COVID healthcare.
- Driving delivery of our commitments on Shared Island on a whole of Government basis, through the Shared Island unit in my Department.
- The establishment of a unit in my Department to help support social dialogue.
Implementation of the Housing for All strategy which is driving delivery of key housing related commitments.
- The delivery of the Economic Recovery Plan 2021, which focused on driving a sustainable jobs-rich recovery, and under which significant milestones, and progress have been achieved, including in the transition towards a decarbonised and digital economy.
- Developing a Well-being Framework for Ireland, for which a Well-being portal and Well-being Information Hub have been developed. A Second Report reflecting the outcomes of considerable consultation and ongoing research will be published by Government this year.
- Publishing Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework in February, which seeks to position Ireland as a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments. It sets out a framework to drive and enable the digital transition across the economy and society.
- The signing into law of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, the Marine Planning Framework, the Maritime Area Planning Act, the publication of the Climate Action Plan 2021, and the adoption of the Carbon Budget programme.
- Engagement with EU leaders to advance a range of high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular in relation to Brexit, Covid, EU Budget and the EU Green Agenda as well as pursuing a strong, collective response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
- Implementation of Global Ireland 2025.
- Supporting the work of the United Nations, through our membership of the UN Security Council.
- Progressing work on the Government’s response to the Future of Media Commission report.
- Establishment of a transitional team in my Department to progress the administrative elements of the establishment of the Electoral Reform Commission, anticipated later this year.
- Completion of the work of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the establishment of two further Citizens’ Assemblies, one dealing with the issue of Biodiversity Loss and the other dealing with the type of directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin.
- Ongoing oversight of the implementation of A Policing Service for our Future – the Government’s plan to implement the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
Ensuring progress on implementation of the Programme for Government will continue to be a priority across all government departments as well as through the work of the Cabinet Committees.
Questions Nos. 41 to 54, inclusive, resubmitted.