Vol. 537 No. 1
7 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the consultations he has carried out in relation to the preparation of the Government's EU anti-poverty and social inclusion strategy which must be submitted to Brussels by 1 June 2001. [15267/01]
The national action plans against poverty and social exclusion aim to translate the Community level objectives, endorsed in December 2000 by the Nice European Council, into each member state, taking account of national circumstances and policy priorities.
An outline format for the national action plans was agreed by the EU social protection committee on 19 January. A seminar with officials from the relevant services of the EU Commission was held in Brussels on 28 March. The purpose of the seminar was to have an open exchange of information and debate with relevant stakeholders in Ireland – including the social partners and Government agencies such as the Equality Authority and the Economic and Social Research Institute – about the process of co-ordination on social inclusion and the preparation of the national action plans. A round table meeting held in May by my Department updated the social partners and other stakeholders on developments in relation to the preparation of the plan as well as allowing an opportunity to discuss equality issues.
The processes for consultation already in place for the national anti-poverty strategy and its review were helpful in drafting the plan. Written submissions from a range of interested parties were considered as part of the national plan process. Departments submitted workplans for the period 2001 to 2003 and examples of best practice to the national anti-poverty strategy unit. The Combat Poverty Agency also had a key role in drafting elements of the plan. A draft of the plan has been considered by relevant stakeholders, including the social partners, before it is submitted to Government in the near future.
Is it not extraordinary that the plan was not debated in the House? The plan is a significant development for the country, yet it was not brought to the Committee on Social Affairs, of which I am proud to be vice-chairman. Many of the stakeholders, the social partners and agencies which work in the area of deprivation are very angry because they were not consulted by the Minister, apart from a few derisory meetings.
This is no way to fulfil a commitment in the Nice Treaty and roll out a realistic approach to this issue over the next five to ten years. The Minister inherited NAPS from the rainbow Government. However, after four years, in a lazy way the Minister is simply sending a copy of NAPS to Brussels. That is all he is doing. He is saying, "Thanks to the rainbow Government, we were first. That is the way we do it in Ireland." People are very angry.
The Deputy is totally wrong. There was extensive consultation.
In the Dáil?
Regarding which matter?
The Minister should have brought the issue to the Dáil.
I should have brought what to the Dáil?
It is not our job to do it. We should have discussed the matter.
Which matter?
The draft document. What groups are we going to target?
I ask the Minister to address his comments to the Chair.
The document will be brought before the House, if necessary, when it is finalised by Government.
The Minister has left it too late.
As we are required to do under the PPF, and in accordance with the criteria set down by the EU social protection committee, we held extensive consultations.
The Minister has lost the confidence of the social partners.
The Deputy should not interrupt.
I challenge Deputy Broughan to name any group which is dissatisfied with the consultation process.
The largest trade union in the country is dissatisfied.
These groups were consulted. The document was circulated to the community and voluntary pillar. These groups have made a submission which is being taken into account in the finalisation of the plan.
The Minister has stated that there was extensive consultation. Will he confirm that there was one meeting between the stakeholders, the European Commission and his Department? Will he also confirm that the draft strategy document was sent to the stakeholders last Thursday and that they were given four working days to comment and to make recommendations on the 60 page document?
Does the Minister regard this as social inclusion? I suggest it is an example of social exclusion. One of the reasons the Minister is so adept at not consulting the stakeholders is that he and some of his Cabinet colleagues, such as Deputy McCreevy, are part of the Euro sceptic wing which will not have Europe lecture them on any social policy. Is this not the case?
Deputies must keep in mind that this is Question Time.
Deputy Hayes is talking nonsense as usual.
The Minister should answer the question.
There were two stages to the process. A meeting was held on 28 March with the sector and other stakeholders—
The Minister cancelled the first meeting.
—at which they received a full briefing on the national action plan.
One meeting.
They were also brought to a major meeting in Brussels at which they all made contributions—
Two meetings.
—and at which all our EU partners were agog at the progress we had made with regard to the national action plan.
What about last Thursday?
Our EU partners used Ireland as a template for their own plans. We are ahead of the posse in Europe as regards the national anti-poverty strategy.
The Minister does not believe that.
We must move on to Question No. 8.
They attended a round table meeting in my Department in May.
What about last Thursday?
Question No. 8.
On a point of information.
There is no such thing. Question No. 8.
The Minister could arrange with the Chief Whip to have the matter debated in the House.
The Chair has called Question No. 8.
The Opposition can make a request to discuss the matter when it is approved by Government.
