David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Taoiseach the terms of reference for the all-island healthcare research study that he stated in the media (details supplied) he had commissioned from the ESRI. [17508/21]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on Shared Island in an online event at Dublin Castle. A Shared Island unit has been established in my Department to coordinate and drive this work as a whole of Government priority.

The unit is progressing a Shared Island research programme, working with the National Economic and Social Council, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), the Irish Research Council, and other partners. Research outputs will be published through 2021 and in subsequent years. 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 of this work.

The research programme with the ESRI is on ‘the Economic and Social Opportunities from Increased Cooperation on the Shared Island’. 2021 work is focusing on aspects of health, education, and economy on the island. The research on health in 2021 will explore similarities and differences between the primary care systems, North and South, quantify outcomes and examine what can be learned to inform reforms. Scoping papers on each of the ESRI research topics for 2021, will be finalised and published in the coming weeks, and made available on www.gov.ie/sharedisland.