Charlie O'Connor
Question:429 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her plans to continue to implement the Government's national anti-poverty strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6098/03]
Written Answers - Anti-Poverty Strategy.
The revised national anti-poverty strategy, Building an Inclusive Society, was launched by the Government in February 2002. The key objectives of the strategy are to reduce, and ideally eliminate, consistent poverty; to build an inclusive society; and to develop social capital, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The strategy sets out a range of targets in the areas of income adequacy, employment and unemployment, education, health, and housing and accommodation. In addition, specific targets have been established in respect of groups identified as being particularly vulnerable to poverty.
The task of overseeing the overall implementation of the strategy rests with the recently established Office for Social Inclusion which is based in my Department. The office will work closely with the relevant Departments and statutory agencies to ensure that real and significant progress is made towards achieving the strategy's targets. The office also has a number of key functions in relation to the strategy, which include the preparation of Ireland's national action plan against poverty and social exclusion; developing a more effective poverty proofing process; developing a formal data strategy and research programme; and drawing up an internal and external communications plan. A range of other institutional structures is being put in place to support the implementation of the strategy. A technical advisory group has been established to assist in the development of the strategy's data strategy. This group consists of representatives of relevant Departments, the ESRI, the CSO and the Combat Poverty Agency. The social inclusion consultative group is being established to strengthen the involvement of the social partners in the NAPS process. The group will consist of representatives from the Departments, the social partners and anti-poverty experts. It is planned to hold the first meeting of the group shortly.
The first annual social inclusion forum, convened by the National Economic and Social Forum, was held on 30 January, with an attendance of over 300. The forum provided an opportunity for those working on the ground in the area of social inclusion to have a direct input into the NAPS process. The Office for Social Inclusion is engaged in the process of preparing the second national action plan against poverty and social exclusion, to cover the period from 2003 to 2005. This plan must be submitted to the EU by the end of July 2003. A public consultation process, arrangements for which are currently being drawn up in collaboration with the Combat Poverty Agency, will be a key feature of the preparation of the plan.