Brendan Howlin
Question:52 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he expects to receive the report commissioned from the NESC on poverty proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31600/01]
Vol. 546 No. 3
52 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he expects to receive the report commissioned from the NESC on poverty proofing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31600/01]
55 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will outline and report on the process of poverty proofing which operates within his Department and across the Government. [31614/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 55 together.
Following the agreement among the social partners in July 1998 on a pilot poverty proofing system to assess all significant policy proposals for their potential impact on the poor, the Government adopted this process in official Cabinet procedures. All memoranda for Government and key policy initiatives upon which significant policy decisions have to be made, are required to be poverty proofed since late 1998.
The introduction of poverty proofing is a major tool in ensuring that Departments are kept aware of the possible implications of policy on those most in need and it is a system this Government is committed to as part of its social inclusion strategy.