Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 2

Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Finian McGrath

Question:

213 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if she will consider the recent National Action Plan Against Poverty and Social Exclusion 2003-2005 submitted by Focus Ireland, ITM, the Simon Community, the St. Vincent de Paul and Threshold; and her views on the main issues of this action plan. [16170/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

The office for social inclusion in my Department is currently engaged in co-ordinating the preparation of Ireland's National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion, 2003-2005. All member states of the European Union are required to submit their national action plans to the EU Commission by the 31 July, 2003. The preparation of the plan has involved an extensive process of consultation, organised in conjunction with the Combat Poverty Agency, and has included regional and national seminars and a public invitation for written submissions.

The joint submission from Focus Ireland, the Irish Traveller Movement, the Simon Community of Ireland, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul and Threshold is one of many submissions received in response to this invitation. It focuses in particular on a key area – that of housing and accommodation – which is of specific interest to each of these bodies. All of the submissions received, together with the outcomes of the wider public consultation, are now being examined and assessed by the relevant Departments and will be taken into account in the context of the preparation of the national action plan.