Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
377. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that the appropriate strategic direction is issued to all European Union member states to ensure that there is the adequate inclusivity and robust approach towards the relevant areas of policy in relation to the commitment to reduce consistent poverty below 2% (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36087/22]
View answerThe Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 - 2025 is a whole of Government strategy that aims to reduce poverty and make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU. The Roadmap aims to reduce the number of people in consistent poverty in Ireland to 2% or less and to position Ireland within the top five countries in the EU under a number of leading social inclusion measures. Towards this end, the Roadmap contains seven high level goals with 22 specific targets, which will be delivered by 66 unique commitments (actions) across government.
Implementation of Roadmap commitments is underway with a number of commitments fully achieved or close to completion and with work ongoing in relation to a number of other commitments. The first Progress Report of the Roadmap was published in January 2022 and sets out progress towards the Roadmap goals for the period January 2020 to September 2021. It is accompanied by a Report Card detailing progress on each of the Roadmap commitments. The Progress Report and Report Card are available on the Department of Social Protection pages on gov.ie.
By the end of September 2021:
- 21 of the 69 Roadmap commitments were fully achieved or achieved with ongoing delivery;
- A further 4 commitments were in progress on schedule with ongoing delivery;
- 37 commitments were in progress, with delivery on some delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Work on 5 commitments had yet to commence; and
- 2 were deferred due to the pandemic.
As well as the national target, Ireland has committed to achieve the EU Headline Poverty Reduction Target under the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. The overall EU target is for a reduction of at least 15 million people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 2030. The Irish contribution is a reduction of 90,000 people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Each member state has poverty targets, progress of which the Commission will monitor.
