Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:3. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach the type of research that is currently being carried out by the Shared Island Unit. [39233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 July 2022
Ceisteanna (3, 4)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:4. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach if the Shared Island Unit will consider expanding its research to examine economic and social modelling in relation to a united Ireland. [39234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
The Shared Island unit in my Department is progressing a comprehensive published research programme to provide high-quality evidence and analysis on the whole island, across a range of social, economic and environmental domains.
Strengthening social, economic and political links on the island and the promotion of all-island approaches to the strategic challenges facing Ireland, North and South, are key objectives.
The unit is working in consultation with Government Departments and a number of research partners, including the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the Irish Research Council (IRC).
Four ESRI Shared Island research projects were undertaken in 2021 and have been published on: cross-border trade in services; enhancing FDI attractiveness; analysis of primary health care systems; and a comprehensive comparison of education systems and outcomes at all levels on the island.
2022 ESRI Shared Island work is underway examining: children’s care and early education; migrant integration; productivity levels; and renewable energy supports on the island, with final reports to be published later this year.
The National Economic and Social Council published a comprehensive report to Government on Shared Island; Shared Opportunity in April, following broad consultation with stakeholders across the island. NESC have made recommendations on a range of environmental, social and economic issues, which the Government will positively consider, in consultation with the Northern Ireland Executive, and UK government as needed.
The Irish Research Council’s New Foundations programme included a Shared Island strand last year, with eleven project awards in areas extending across culture, science, education, law, equality and community relations. These research projects will conclude and be published through the second half of this year. A second call for Shared Island proposals under the IRC’s New Foundations programme issued in June.
Research is also being progressed via the Standing Conference on Teacher Education, North and South (SCoTENS) on tackling educational underachievement and on curriculum delivery and other teaching and learning themes. The first two projects will publish reports in October 2022.
Further work will be commissioned and published under the Shared Island unit’s research programme in cooperation with Government Departments and Agencies, including on regulatory and infrastructure frameworks for green hydrogen transport on an island-wide basis.
Further information on the Shared Island research programme is available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/research.
The Government’s focus now, and our commitment through the Shared Island initiative, is on working with all communities and political traditions, to take up the significant opportunities of deeper cooperation and connection on the island, and to build consensus on key issues for our shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
Question No. 4 answered with Question No. 3.