Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 1

Written Answers. - EU Presidency.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

110 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her priorities for the EU Presidency; the events which have been arranged by her Department in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24221/03]

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

My overall focus for the Irish Presidency will be to advance the EU social policy agenda generally and, in particular, make progress in delivering on the Lisbon agenda. One of the goals of the Lisbon agenda is to achieve greater social cohesion. In this regard, the second round reports on national action plans for social inclusion were evaluated recently. The results are currently being compiled into the second joint inclusion report for approval by the Council of Ministers and for presentation to the European Council at its spring meeting during the Irish Presidency.

Ireland will also host a conference of people experiencing poverty, the aim of which will be to further develop ways of promoting participation by and consultation with people experiencing poverty in the context of developing policies in this area. Making work pay, that is, addressing the financial incentives to encourage people to seek, take up and remain in work is one of the key policy areas which we will address as part of our contribution to modernising social protection systems. This issue has been chosen as the main theme for discussion at the Informal Council of Ministers for Employment and Social Policy in January next. The issue of migration will also be a priority for my Department during the Irish Presidency.

We will host a conference in April, the theme of which will be "Reconciling Mobility and Social Inclusion" and its main focus will be on the role of social and economic policies in achieving social inclusion for migrants. A major priority in this context for the Irish Presidency will be to work for adoption by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament of the proposals to simplify and modernise the EU regulations on social security of migrant workers. This will provide migrant workers moving within the EU with a more streamlined set of rules aimed at protecting their social security and health care rights. Following the accession of the ten new member states in May next, it is our intention to host a special conference, in co-operation with the Hungarian Government, on the practical application of the new regulations for all member states.

Family policy is another priority for the Irish Presidency. In the area of family policy and to mark the tenth anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family, the Irish Presidency will host a major international conference, the title of which will be "Families, Change and Social Policy in Europe". I am happy that these events represent a substantial programme of work and a significant contribution to moving forward the social policy agenda of the Community.