Written Answers. - Social Inclusion Policy.
Derek McDowell
Question:
41
Mr. McDowell
asked the
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation
if he will make a statement on the progress of the four integrated services projects; the lessons which can be drawn from the projects; and the plans there are for the projects at the end of the current pilot phase.
[21117/00]
One of the Government's key social inclusion priorities continues to be the need to ensure a more focused and better co-ordinated response by statutory authorities in addressing the needs of severely disadvantaged urban communities.
To that end the Government established a pilot integrated services process – ISP – with the ultimate aim of improving the effectiveness of service delivery in our most deprived urban areas, as a basis for a model of best practice.
Since early 1999, the process has been operating in four urban areas: Dublin's north east inner city, Dublin 8 – Fatima Mansions, St. Teresa's Garden, St. Michael's House, Dolphin House – Jobstown, Tallaght and Togher, Cork.
A national steering committee, comprising all key Departments, FÁS and area development management – ADM – is overseeing the process.
Price Waterhouse Coopers consultancy, which was appointed to carry out an external evaluation, completed its first progress report in April 2000. On foot of this, a progress report was submitted to the Cabinet committee in May and its recommendations were fully endorsed.
The evaluators' second progress report will be completed shortly and will outline the key elements of a best practice approach capable of replication to other urban blackspots.
The evaluators will produce a final report in December next when the pilot phase of the ISP is completed. The report will be considered by the steering committee who will make recommendations to the Cabinet committee on social inclusion on the future direction of the ISP.
Question No. 42 taken with Question No. 35.
Question No. 43 taken with Question No. 15.
Question No. 44 taken with Question No. 13.
Question No. 45 taken with Question No. 34.
