Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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80. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding reporting from the Inter-Departmental Working Group to explore the skills deficit and existing climate change expertise and training; the position regarding the gap analysis in climate training across the civil service as outlined in the Climate Action Plan Annex of Actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45722/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Deputy will appreciate that developing policies to tackle the climate crisis requires a significant transformational challenge for the whole of government. Our public servants must, therefore, be capable of leading effective transformation in respect of the climate agenda. It is within this context that it is fitting to assess capacity across the civil service in order to ensure the civil service is able to deliver on the significant challenges that the system faces in implementing current and future Climate Action Plans.

In this regard, Action 5 of the Climate Action Plan 2021 contains a number of interrelated tasks for different Government Departments that seek to examine the capacity and capability of the civil and public service to oversee the delivery of envisaged emissions reductions across society and to enhance Ireland’s resilience to climate impacts.

Specifically, the tasks referred to by the Deputy relate to skills gaps and training needs. All Departments were tasked with undertaking related analysis. For the purposes of efficiency, it was decided to pursue these actions together in a single review of climate action capacity in the civil service. The Institute of Public Administration has been commissioned to undertake this work which commenced earlier this year. The work is examining relevant capacity across all Government Departments and key agencies, including consideration of skills gaps and training needs. This work is due to be completed early in 2023.

It is envisaged that this research will also support priorities being identified under the new public service reform programme. In particular, the need for future public service reform to be directly aligned with policy in respect of the climate action challenge.