Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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6.To ask the Taoiseach further to his correspondence of 20 June 2024 (details supplied) regarding the newly established Dublin city centre task force, if a representative of the Department of Health, or a representative specialising in harm reduction, will be appointed to the task force. [31510/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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On 7 May 2024, the Government agreed to appoint a Taskforce to adopt a holistic outlook of the measures required to rejuvenate Dublin City Centre. The goal of the Taskforce is to make Dublin City Centre a more thriving, attractive, and safe cityscape; and a desirable location to live, work and do business and visit for all communities.

The Taskforce is taking an evidence-informed approach in its work and will provide recommendations to improve the City Centre’s public realm, safety, and experience. The Taskforce will not duplicate existing efforts or initiatives underway including within the Dublin City Co-Ordination Office, as well as existing initiatives such as Dublin’s North East Inner City Initiative; the Dublin North Inner City Local Community Safety Partnership and the North Inner City Drugs and Alcohol Taskforce. The issues of health, drugs and harm reduction are a focus for these existing initiatives.

The Taskforce is led by Independent Chairperson Mr. David McRedmond, CEO of An Post. Membership of the Taskforce has been limited to twelve in an effort to facilitate delivery within the tight deadline of twelve weeks as requested by the Government.

Membership of the Taskforce consists of individuals from some of the key agencies and bodies across Dublin. Each of these members will further engage and work with groups in their own areas of expertise across the city to ensure a collaborative approach will be taken. The Taskforce links to Dublin City Council via the membership of the DCC Director of Services, with the input of the Nighttime Economy Adviser.

The Taskforce held its first meeting on Tuesday, 21 May 2024 and has met twice more since then. Membership of the Taskforce is listed below.