Denis Foley
Question:23 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Social Welfare the progress, if any, made in relation to the National Anti-Poverty Strategy; and whether he intends to put the strategy on a statutory basis. [2366/97]
Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the national anti-poverty strategy is now entering its final phase of development and it is hoped to produce the finalised strategy in the very near future in line with the commitment set out in Partnership 2000.
The five working groups, composed of Departments, the social partners and the national anti-poverty networks, have in the case of each of the key themes of unemployment, educational disadvantage, income adequacy, rural poverty and disadvantaged urban areas finalised their reports and presented them to the inter-departmental policy committee.
In addition, Departments have prepared strategic statements relating to their own individual activities and these have also been presented to the committee. In this regard, my own Department has carried out a very substantial review of its activities from an anti-poverty policy perspective which is now complete.
All of these documents are now being analysed both by the inter-departmental policy committee and by individual Departments, a process which will result in the final strategy being available soon.
Poverty is one of the most pressing social issues facing Irish society today. I recognised some time ago that if we were to seriously tackle the problem, a co-ordinated multi-dimensional approach, embracing all areas of Government activity, would have to be developed. A quick-fix style solution simply would not work. It was for this reason that the Government began the process of developing a National Anti-Poverty Strategy, a process which has received important and significant endorsement in the recently published Partnership 2000 agreement.
On the question of putting the strategy on a statutory basis, I am aware of the Private Members' Bill which Deputy Joe Walsh has put forward regarding the National Anti-Poverty Strategy. This matter and other issues relevant to future structures, will be considered by the inter-departmental committee.