Vol. 533 No. 5
21 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the steps which have been taken to date within his Department to review the rural poverty theme of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9283/01]
60 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the efforts which are under way at his Department to synthesise research and information on rural poverty to form the baseline document for the working group on rural poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9284/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 60 together.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, a review of the poverty targets in the National Anti-Poverty Strategy is being undertaken by the various Departments involved. My Department is responsible for reviewing the rural poverty theme and is establishing a working group to address the key issues within this theme in as comprehensive a way as possible.
Last month relevant Departments, local development agencies, the social partners and the community and voluntary sector were invited by my Department to nominate representatives to the working group. Most of these have responded but due to restrictions imposed by the foot and mouth disease some organisations have had difficulty in meeting to finalise their nominations.
A position paper is being prepared by my Department to facilitate the business of the group. This will be circulated to members in advance of the group's first meeting which is planned to be held before Easter.
