Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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49. To ask the Taoiseach the costs incurred from 2014 to date on the operation of each citizens’ assembly. [9091/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The expenditure incurred by my Department on Citizens' Assemblies from 2014 to the end of 2021 is set out in the table below.

During this period two Citizens' Assemblies and one Convention on the Constitution took place. Matters considered by the 2013-2014 Convention on the Constitution were:

- Reducing the voting age and Presidential term

- The role of women in Politics

- Same sex marriage

- Electoral reform

- Blasphemy

- Granting citizens resident outside the State the right to vote in Presidential elections; Dáil Reform; Economic,Social and Cultural rights.

The 2016-2018 Citizens' Assembly considered the following matters:

- The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution

- How we best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an aging population

- Fixed term parliaments

- The manner in which referenda are held

- How the state can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change

The 2020-2021 Citizens' Assembly considered Gender Equality. Expenditure incurred in 2019 was in preparation for this Assembly.

Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach if a budget has been provided for the proposed citizens’ assembly on biodiversity and directly elected mayor and local government structures best suited for Dublin. [9092/22]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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An allocation of €502,000 has been provided in respect of both Citizens’ Assemblies for 2022. Additional funding requirements, if necessary, will be provided from within existing resources allocated to the Department of the Taoiseach’s Vote 2022.