Written Answers Nos. 114-120
114. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025. [5657/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of the Taoiseach did not receive funding support for any projects from the United States of America International Development during the time period given, nor did any bodies under the aegis of the Department.
115. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Taoiseach if all participants in the Covid inquiry are being directed to the Protected Disclosures Commissioner. [5703/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Evaluation, led by Professor Anne Scott, is completely independent in its functions. It decides on all matters relating to its operation, including its procedures and its programme of work, guided by its publicly available Terms of Reference: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/311344/0d5cbf2c-38e3-4931-befb-93ed3925cf1b.pdf.
Information on its planned phased programme of work and future opportunities for consultation is available on www.covid19evaluation.ie. Secretariat support for the Evaluation is being provided by a dedicated team of seconded civil servants.
116. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the gender breakdown of his Department in respect of principal officers, assistant secretaries and secretaries general, respectively. [5861/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of established civil servants working in the Department of the Taoiseach is contained in the table below:
|
Grade |
Total No. |
Male |
Female |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
6 |
2 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer |
18 |
10 |
8 |
117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach to provide details of the empty buildings, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain empty; and the physical status of each building, in tabular form. [6239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Taoiseach to provide details of undeveloped sites, by county, in his Department’s portfolio; the value of the property; the length of time they have lain undeveloped; and the reason for the lack of development, in tabular form. [6256/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
The Department of the Taoiseach does not own any buildings or sites. Accommodation used by the Department is provided and managed by the Office of Public Works.
119. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Taoiseach the date on which the Spring legislative programme will be approved and published. [6320/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government Legislation Programme for the Spring parliamentary session was agreed by Government today, Tuesday 18th February. The Programme was published this afternoon and is available at www.gov.ie.
120. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Taoiseach if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within his Department in 2024 and to date in 2025; if any section of his Department currently makes use of artificial intelligence; if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI; if he will provide a schedule of consultants engaged and costs of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6346/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform have published guidance on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the public service which has been made available to all staff in the Department of the Taoiseach. While staff engage in conferences/webinars to explore and better understand the potential for and impact of AI, the Department had no specific spend on artificial intelligence systems or artificial intelligence consultancy in the past fiscal year and no funding has been allocated for 2025.
While many computerised systems have AI built into them, the Department of the Taoiseach does not conduct any operations using generative AI tools.
