Following the agreement among the social partners in July 1998 on a pilot poverty proofing system to assess all significant policy proposals for their potential impact on the poor, the Government adopted this process in official Cabinet procedures.
With regard to the budget, spending Departments are responsible for, and obliged to, poverty-proof expenditure measures. The National Anti-Poverty Strategy unit of my Department acts as an ongoing resource to assist all Departments to meet their obligations.
The introduction of poverty proofing is a major tool in ensuring that Departments are kept aware of the possible implications of policy on those most in need and it is a system this Government is committed to as part of its social inclusion strategy.