Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Anti-Poverty Strategy.

John Bruton

Question:

25 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will give details of the institutional framework he has put in place to implement the National Anti-Poverty Strategy announced on 23 April 1997. [16854/97]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

32 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will make a statement on the current progress in the implementation of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy. [20460/97]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 32 together.

In order for society to fully address the pervasive nature of poverty and to promote the concept of an inclusive society, as recognised in our programme for Government, it is important that the National Anti-Poverty Strategy — or NAPS — becomes an integral part of the thinking of Government Departments. Consequently, it has been a priority of the strategy during this early implementation stage to embed the NAPS process across Departments and the wider public sector and to ensure that the appropriate institutional framework is put in place to facilitate its implementation. A unit was established in my Department to co-ordinate the implementation of the strategy. The unit serves as a key resource in providing back-up services for the relevant NAPS structures as required; preparing and analysing papers relevant to poverty and social exclusion and co-ordinating anti-poverty initiatives of a cross-cutting nature across Government Departments.

The NAPS Inter-Departmental Policy Committee, which was set up to oversee the formulation of the NAPS, has remained in place and has met three times since April. This committee is comprised of senior officers who have responsibility for ensuring that the NAPS provisions relevant to their Departments are implemented. It is so-chaired by my Department and the Department of the Taoiseach.

A Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs (including Local Development), chaired by the Taoiseach, was established by Government and is a key element of the NAPS institutional framework, underlining a commitment to a more inclusive society at the highest level. The first meeting of the sub-committee took place last month.

The Combat Poverty Agency continues to play a key role in the NAPS. The director of the agency is a member of the NAPS Inter-Departmental Policy Committee and the agency is responsible for overseeing an evaluation of the process on behalf of the IDPC.

In addition, the CPA will provide support, in an advisory capacity, to individual Departments and local and-or regional structures on the development of anti-poverty strategies. The CPA will be particularly called upon to advise on anti-poverty strategies in the context of the local government reform process.

While the priority for this year has been to establish the institutional structures on a solid footing, considerable progress has been made in implementing the strategy. Liaison officers have been appointed in key Departments to fill a communication and co-ordination role. It is through the network of liaison officers that the NAPS unit interacts with Departments. The unit has met with liaison officers on an individual basis to discuss the preparation of departmental baseline documents based on commitments set out in the NAPS, An Action Programme for the Millennium, and Partnership 2000. Departments are also compiling workplans for 1998, setting down objectives and targets relating to social inclusion for the year.

I met with representatives of the seven funded national anti-poverty networks recently to commence a round of consultation about the future role the voluntary and community sector will play in the NAPS. Preliminary discussions with the Department of the Environment and Local Government have also taken place to discuss the important role of local authorities in the NAPS.

Public opinion was identified in the NAPS document as being extremely important for the success of the strategy. An information and public education strategy is being drawn up with the aim of promoting public discussion and understanding of the value of a national anti-poverty strategy and highlighting the contribution that anti-poverty initiatives can make to improving the social, economic, political and cultural life of society.