Ms Anna Shakespeare:

I will start and hand over in due course to my colleagues who are subject-matter experts in some of the areas.

In terms of the consultation, we published a guide to inclusive community engagement in local planning and decision-making in 2022. It was launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien, and developed in partnership with the Department of Rural and Community Development, local development companies, Pobal and stakeholders, that is, individuals with disabilities and individuals for marginalised communities. We use that as a guide and template in terms of how we consult with disability provider organisations or other marginalised groups for whom community development is an area of interest and with whom we work. Guide number one was published and updated on the basis of our experience of implementing it. Late last year, it was raised at the national civic forum by the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, as to the way communities should be consulted with. Mr. Skinnader might be in a position to give additional information.

We have done some pilot projects in it. We apply the principles of the consultation process as set out in the document. There is always learning in relation to that. It can be used to identify, for example, who should be involved in a community consultation and how you might go about supporting them, working with them and making sure they are meaningfully involved, meaningfully communicated with and meaningfully supported should they need that as part of the communication process. That is well-documented and set out in an accessible document with case studies and exemplars so that local community organisations, not just Pobal and other State agencies, can use it as a resource.