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

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together.

The Mulvey report, Dublin North East Inner City - Creating a Brighter Future, was commissioned by the Government and published in February 2017. It contained recommendations for the social and economic regeneration of Dublin's north-east inner city. This report has been supplemented by the publishing of the North East Inner City Strategic Plan 2020-2022.

In June 2017, an independent chairperson was appointed by the Government to the north-east inner city programme implementation board. Members of the board include representatives from relevant Departments and agencies, businesses and the local community. The board is assisted in its work by six subgroups. They are enhancing policing; maximising educational, training and employment opportunities; family well-being; enhancing community well-being and the physical landscape; substance use, misuse and inclusion health; and alignment of services. The board and its subgroups continue to meet monthly to oversee and progress the implementation of the Mulvey report and the North East Inner City Strategic Plan 2020-2022.

Officials from my Department work closely with the board, the subgroups and the dedicated programme office based on Seán McDermott Street. The chair of the board reports to an oversight group of senior officials chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach. This group supports and oversees the work of the north-east inner city programme implementation board, ensures strong and active participation by all relevant Departments and agencies in the north-east inner city initiative and deals with any barriers or issues highlighted by the chair of the programme implementation board.

The Cabinet committee on social affairs and equality provides political oversight of the north-east inner city initiative. The Government is committed to supporting and investing in the north-east inner city community. From 2016 to 2021, inclusive, the Government provided more than €30.7 million in funding to ensure the board had the necessary resources to achieve targets and fulfil its ambition. In 2021, the Government provided funding of €6.5 million to the initiative and for 2022 this funding has been increased by a further €1 million to €7.5 million. On 2 December last, I launched the 2021 progress report for the north-east inner city initiative, which highlights all of the work progressed throughout the year. This report, along with all of the progress reports since 2017, is available on the north-east inner city, NEIC, website.

The programme implementation board continues to implement the remaining actions set out in the Mulvey report and the North East Inner City Strategic Plan 2020-2022, as well as adopting a greater focus on long-term sustainable outcomes while operating in an integrated framework and adding value to the existing service infrastructure. The Government remains committed to supporting and investing in the north-east inner city community and ensuring that the chairperson and programme implementation board have the necessary resources to help make the area a better place to live and work.

I very much welcome today's announcement of Government approval of high-level proposals for a national centre for research and remembrance, which will be situated on the site of the former Magdalen laundry on Seán MacDermott Street. The centre will stand as a national memorial to honour all those who were resident in mother and baby homes, industrial schools, Magdalen laundries and related institutions. It will also involve social housing and an early education provision. This is very positive news for the north-east inner city.

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