Vol. 491 No. 1
68 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position in relation to the national anti-poverty strategy, in particular the issue of poverty in farming households; when these households will be examined; if he will identify feasible measures to assist these households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11537/98]
My Department is committed fully to contributing to the implementation of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy in so far as it is appropriate to my area of responsibility. In addition, my Department is committed specifically under Partnership 2000 to examining the issue of poverty in farming households and in that context will be co-operating with the Combat Poverty Agency which is undertaking a review of farm income support policy in the context of targeting resources at low-income farm households. I will also be reviewing the position for the purposes of the preparation of the forthcoming National Development Plan under the next round of the Structural Funds and in the context of the preparation of the White Paper on Rural Development.
