Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9, inclusive, together.

The role of the social policy and public service reform division is to assist me, as Taoiseach, and the Government, in delivering programme for Government objectives, and public policies and services, which help create a socially inclusive and fair society.

Specifically, the division assists the work of the Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality, and associated senior officials’ group, established to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in the areas of social policy, equality and public services, including matters relating to arts and culture, children, justice, policing reform and community safety, disability, social inclusion, gender equality, direct provision, the Irish language and sport; the Cabinet committee on education, and associated senior officials’ group, established to oversee implementation of programme for Government commitments in the area of education, and further and higher education; the Cabinet committee on health, and associated senior officials’ group, established to oversee programme for Government commitments in the area of health including implementation of health reforms, including Sláintecare and the development of mental health services; and the Cabinet committee on Covid-19, and associated senior officials’ group, established to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of Covid-19 and oversee the cross-government response.

The Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality is expected to hold its first meeting on 2 November and is due to meet again before the year end. The Cabinet committee on health is expected to next meet on 19 October. The Cabinet committee on education is due to meet on 19 November.

A policing reform implementation programme office also forms part of the division. This office drives the implementation of the plan, A Policing Service for our Future, which was approved and published by Government in December 2018 as the vehicle to implement the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

The Department of the Taoiseach has had a direct involvement in a range of public service reform initiatives over the recent period and this will continue under the new programme for Government. Major public reform initiatives will continue to be informed by external inputs and overseen by the Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality, supported by the Department.

The division also assists the work of the Civil Service management board, which oversees Civil Service renewal; has departmental oversight of the National Economic and Social Council; advances Dublin's north east inner city initiative, including through supporting the work of a programme office, programme implementation board and oversight group; assists the delivery of public service reform through membership of the public service leadership board and public service management group, which oversee implementation of Our Public Service 2020; monitors and reports on the implementation of the programme for Government; provides me with briefing and speech material on social policy and public service reform issues; and participates in relevant interdepartmental committees and other groups.

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