Written answers
Monday, 9 September 2024
Department of An Taoiseach
Programme for Government
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1.To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the implementation of the programme for Government commitments under the remit of his Department.[34017/24]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Individual commitments in the Programme for Government are advanced through the co-ordinating mechanisms of the cabinet committee structure. The ten Cabinet Committees established by this Government reflect the full range of policy areas that are set out in the Programme for Government.
Cabinet Committees meet regularly to accomplish their work.
The Strategy Statements of all Government Departments reflect the national priorities outlined in the Programme for Government. The Department of the Taoiseach is continuing to help advance the Programme for Government commitments in the following significant policy areas:
· Implementation of the Housing for All strategy, including additional initiatives as necessary, to advance crucial housing related commitments;
· Continued engagement at EU and international level on the situation in the Middle East, including by calling for full observance of international law by all parties;
· Increased funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and working to build consensus at EU level to take a more proactive approach in assisting a negotiated two-state solution and lasting peace process. On 28 May Ireland formally recognised the State of Palestine. The Government took this decision, in coordination with Spain and Norway, to support the two-state solution. It fulfils our commitment under the Programme for Government;
· Engagement with EU leaders to advance high-level objectives in the Programme for Government, in particular, economic and competitiveness issues; energy security; external relations including with the UK; as well as continuing our strong, collective EU response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine;
· Pursuing our international commitments, including strengthening our relationship with the United States, and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
· Advancing the Government’s commitments on Shared Island;
· Ensuring implementation of the New Decade, New Approach commitments; working with the relevant Departments North and South in advancing these goals;
· Strengthening the British-Irish bilateral relationship - including with London, and the devolved Governments in Wales and Scotland;
· Implementation of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and the Government’s Climate Action Plan;
· Advancements in Sláintecare, improving access, outcomes and affordability for patients by increasing the capacity and effectiveness of the workforce, infrastructure and provision of patient care;
· Supporting the development of the next National Disability Strategy that will set out a blueprint for the further realisation of the UNCRPD and will provide the necessary framework for whole-of-government action on disability over the coming years;
· Oversight of implementation of the Third Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy;
· Development of the Well-being Framework for Ireland and driving its whole of Government integration in policy making and budgetary systems;
· Publication of Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework in February 2022;
· Establishment of a Child Poverty and Well-being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach to progress commitments identified in the Programme for Government that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children who experience poverty; and
· Three of the four Citizens’ Assemblies committed to in the Programme for Government have been completed. The relevant government departments are now drafting detailed responses to the Dublin Citizens' Assembly and the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Drugs Use held its first meeting on 13th June to examine the report of that Citizens' Assembly and will report back to the Houses of the Oireachtas on its findings.
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