10 February 2021 Written Answers. The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised]. 10/02/2021WRA00300Census of Population 10/02/2021WRA004001. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Taoiseach the cost of census enumerators during the gathering and processing of data for census 2016. [7387/21] 10/02/2021WRA00500Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Deputy Jack Chambers): For the delivery of the 2016 Census, approximately 4,700 Enumerators were employed on a temporary, unestablished part-time, fixed term contract basis for a 10-week period from 21st March to 27th May, 2016 to deliver and collect census questionnaires to/from every dwelling and com- munal establishment nationwide. The entire field force for a census comprises various levels of temporary managerial, supervisory and public facing staff, of which Enumerators are the most numerous. The cost of the census field operation in 2016, which includes the pay for the field force, related allowances and the undertaking of the operation was in the region of €31 million. The cost of the Enumerators was approximately €17 million of this total, in the form of fees and allowances on a piece meal basis. In terms of the processing of the Census 2016 data, this was completed by temporary cleri- cal and supervisory staff based in the Census HQ office. At the height of the processing work approximately 100 of these staff were employed by the CSO. 10/02/2021WRA00600Taoiseach’s Meetings and Engagements 10/02/2021WRA007002. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Taoiseach if he plans to travel to Washington for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. [6142/21] 10/02/2021WRA00800The Taoiseach: The relationship between Ireland and the United States of America is an important and historic one. While arrangements for marking the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are not finalised, any arrangements will take account of the situation with regard to COVID-19 and related measures both here and in the US. 10/02/2021WRA00900Shared Island Unit 10/02/2021WRA010003. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Taoiseach the dialogue forums with which the shared island unit has consulted to date. [6425/21] 10/02/2021WRA01100The Taoiseach: On 22 October, as part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, I launched the Shared Island Dialogue series to foster inclusive and constructive dialogue on all aspects of a shared future on the island, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement. 1 Questions - Written Answers The first Shared Island Dialogue was held online on 26 November on the theme ‘New Generations and New Voices on the Good Friday Agreement’. I took the opportunity to address more than 80 young people from across the island who participated, representing different backgrounds and interests, and who put forward their ideas for a shared future on the island across a range of themes. A Shared Island Dialogue was held on 5 February, with the Minister for Environment, Cli- mate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, on the theme of ‘Environment and Climate - addressing shared challenges on the island’. There were over 100 participants in this online dialogue, including civil society groups, business and agriculture representatives, academic and research experts, local authorities and environmental and sustainable development agen- cies. The Dialogue addressed how we can best work together on the island to tackle the climate emergency and address the biodiversity crisis and future priorities for all-island co-operation on the environment. In December, as part of the Dialogue series, the Shared Island unit convened roundtable ses- sions with women’s representatives and with ethnic minority communities on the island, to hear their interests in and priorities for a shared island, and reflecting the Government’s commitment to ensuring the inclusion of often under-represented voices in the Peace Process. The Shared Island Dialogue series will continue through 2021, to foster civic engagement on important issues for the future of the island, including on health, education and economy, and on key civic aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including on identity and equality. Plenary sessions are available online at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/dialogues. 10/02/2021WRA01200Shared Island Unit 10/02/2021WRA013004. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Taoiseach if a unit has been established within his De- partment to work towards a consensus on a shared island, as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will outline the work of the unit to date. [6547/21] 10/02/2021WRA01400The Taoiseach: On 22 October, I set out the Government’s vision and priorities on Shared Island in an online event at Dublin Castle. Over 800 people participated online, comprising a broad range of civil society, community, sectoral, and political representatives, across the island of Ireland and in Britain. A Shared Island unit was established in my Department in September to drive and coordi- nate the Shared Island initiative, as a whole of Government priority. In Budget 2021, the Government announced the Shared Island Fund, with €500m to be made available out to 2025, ring-fenced for Shared Island projects. The Shared Island Fund provides significant new, multiannual capital funding for invest- ment on a strategic basis in collaborative North/South projects that will support the commit- ments and objectives of the Good Friday Agreement. The Government’s priorities for such investment are set out in the Programme for Govern- ment and include: - Working with the Executive to deliver key cross-border infrastructure initiatives, including the A5, the Ulster Canal, the Narrow Water Bridge, and cross-border greenways, including the Sligo-Enniskillen greenway; 2 10 February 2021 -Working with the Executive and the UK Government to achieve greater connectivity on the island, including for instance, to examine the feasibility of high-speed rail connections; - Working with the Executive and the UK Government on new investment and development opportunities in the North West and Border communities, including coordinated investment at University of Ulster Magee Campus in Derry; and, - Supporting a north/south programme of research and innovation, including an all-island research hub. In December, the Government approved over €6m in funding from the Shared Island Fund to launch the delivery of Phase 2 of the Ulster Canal and we are continuing to work in partner- ship with the Executive and through the North South Ministerial Council on the other cross- border investment projects, which are part of our Shared Island commitments in the Programme for Government. Progressing these projects was a key focus of our discussions at the North South Ministerial Council Plenary on Friday, 18 December. I have also had constructive engagement with British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, on the Government’s Shared Island objectives and commitments, and have made it clear that we are happy also to engage on an East-West basis as we take this work forward. The Shared Island unit in my Department is progressing a comprehensive research pro- gramme, working with the Economic and Social Research Institute and other partners. My De- partment has also asked the National Economic and Social Council to prepare a comprehensive report on Shared Island issues in 2021. This will provide valuable input from economic, social and environmental partners. 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. On 22 October, I launched the Shared Island Dialogue series to foster constructive and inclusive civic dialogue on all aspects of a shared future on the island. The first Shared Island Dialogue was held online on 26 November on the theme ‘New Generations and New Voices on the Good Friday Agreement’. I took the opportunity to address more than 80 young people from across the island who participated, representing different backgrounds and interests, and who put forward their ideas for a shared future on the island across a range of themes. A Shared Island Dialogue took place on 5 February, with the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, on the theme of ‘Environment and Climate - addressing shared challenges on the island’. Over 100 participants participated in this online forum, including civil society groups, business and agriculture representatives, academic and research experts, local authorities and environmental and sustainable development agencies. The Shared Island Dialogue series will continue through 2021, to foster civic engagement on important issues for the future of the island, including on health, education and economy, and on key civic aspects of the Good Friday Agreement, including on identity and equality. Plenary sessions are available online at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/dialogues. 10/02/2021WRA01500Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries 10/02/2021WRA016005. Deputy Richard O’Donoghue asked the Taoiseach his views on retracting the State apology given after the mother and baby homes report was finalised. [6979/21] 3 Questions - Written Answers 10/02/2021WRA01700The Taoiseach: The Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was considered by Government and published on 12 January. On 13 January, I issued a formal apology in the Dáil on behalf of the State for the hurt experienced by many former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and County Homes. I apologised for the profound generational wrong visited upon Irish mothers and their children who ended up in a Mother and Baby Home or a County Home and for the shame and stigma which they were subjected to. As part of that apology I acknowledged that the State had failed in its duty of care to the mothers and children who spent time in these institutions. This apology was one of the first steps taken by Government to respond to the findings of the report.