Vol. 528 No. 2
67 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the name of the person appointed in his Department as the liaison officer with the national anti-poverty strategy unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26312/00]
The national anti-poverty strategy recognises the multi-faceted nature of the problem of social exclusion and, as such, the focus at all times is on a cross-departmental and integrated approach to tackling disadvantage.
The cross-departmental approach is reflected in the administrative structures put in place to oversee the strategy. These structures are headed by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion and Drugs, which provides strong political leadership to advance the goals of the strategy, and include a dedicated national anti-poverty strategy unit based in my Department. Each relevant Department has appointed a liaison officer who fulfils an important communication and co-ordination role within Departments, and acts as a first point of contact in relation to national anti-poverty strategy issues. The liaison officers are supported by each Departments interdepartmental policy committee representative, as well as the representative to the senior officials group on social inclusion, where applicable.
The current national anti-poverty strategy liaison officers are: Ms Yvonne White, Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs; Mr. David Monks, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Ms Christina McCarthy, Department of Health and Children; Mr. Tom Murphy, Department of Finance; Ms Gay Sellers, Department of Public Enterprise; Mr. Brian McSharry, Department of the Marine and Natural Resources; Mr. John Fahy, Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development; Mr. John Kelly, Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation; Mr. Liam Conlon, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Mr. Jerry Kelleher, Department of the Taoiseach; Mr. Hugh Hayden, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Mr. Joe Allen, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Ms. Patricia O'Connor, Department of Education and Science; Mr. Dermot Mc Gauran, Department of Foreign Affairs.
