Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

55 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the steps which have been taken by his Department to comply with the commitment given at the Nice Summit in December 2000 regarding a two year national action plan on poverty; the level of consultation which has taken place to date with the social partners on this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10472/01]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

The national action plans against poverty and social exclusion, to be submitted by member states to the European Commission by 1 June 2001, are a fundamental component of the open method of co-ordination as established by the Lisbon European Council. Their aim is to translate the Community level objectives, endorsed in December 2000 by the Nice European Council, into each member state, taking into account national circumstances and policy priorities.

An outline format for the national action plans was agreed by the EU Social Protection Committee on 19 January. A seminar with officials from the relevant services of the European Commission was held on 28 March to have an open exchange of information and debate with relevant stakeholders in Ireland and the Commission about the process of co-ordination on social inclusion and the preparation of the national action plans.

Representatives of relevant stakeholders in Ireland attended. These included representatives of Departments, social partners and relevant agencies, such as the Combat Poverty Agency and the ESRI. Representatives of the social partners outlined what they considered should be provided for in the national action plan.

Following on from this seminar, the preparation and drafting of the national action plan has intensified. This involves using the administrative structures and the processes for consultation already in place for the national anti-poverty strategy, and for the review of that strategy taking place in accordance with the partnership agreement. The Combat Poverty Agency also has a key role in drafting elements of the plan.

Departments had been asked to submit work plans for the period 2001 to 2003 and examples of best practice to the national anti-poverty unit. The recent advertisement in the national newspapers requesting submissions on the NAPS review provided a further opportunity for stakeholders to express their views on national anti-poverty policies. Each of these submissions will be considered as part of the national plan process.

With these preparations in place, I am satisfied that Ireland is on course to meet the 1 June deadline for submission of a national action plan promoting social inclusion which will be fully in line with all the requirements set.