Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:98 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, being taken to implement the anti-poverty strategy within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2532/00]
Written Answers. - Anti-Poverty Strategy.
As the Deputy may be aware, the lead role in the development of the Government's strategic response to tackling poverty is being taken by my colleague, the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern.
One of the principal aims of my Department, as outlined in its strategy statement, is to bring about a more equal society by outlawing discrimination and facilitating equality of opportunity, especially for certain groups which have experienced disadvantage.
My Department ensures that poverty and inclusion issues are addressed in all relevant policy areas. The responsibilities of the Department range from social inclusion measures which are aimed at specific groups to initiatives which address gender inequality and diversity within society. For example, in the area of equality, my Department's work programme is focused on the specific categories of people who experienced social exclusion or poverty through discrimination in employment and in terms of access to goods, facilities and services. Another example is in the area of child care. The equal opportunities child care programme, which is under the aegis of my Department, is targeted particularly at parents in disadvantaged areas and those on low pay.
My Department also has a number of innovative social inclusion measures in the area of crime prevention and the rehabilitation of offenders which form part of a co-ordinated initiative between the prisons' probation service and the Garda Síochána.
The programme of Garda youth projects is a crime prevention measure and is aimed at young persons who, because of social exclusion, are at risk of becoming involved in criminal and anti-social behaviour leading to long-term exclusion.
The probation and welfare social exclusion measure fosters a number of specialised and targeted programmes directed at persons coming to the attention of the justice system and-or the courts.
The social exclusion programme within the prison system aims to provide work, vocational training and related education on an individual programme basis to custodial prisoners to enable them access employment opportunities on release from prison.
Details of the financial allocations for social exclusion measures within my Department under the NDP are:
NDP Regional Programmes
|
Measure |
BMW£ million |
S+E£ million |
Total£ million |
|
Training for ex Offenders |
13.50 |
32.30 |
45.80 |
|
Probation and Welfare Service |
5.98 |
18.96 |
24.94 |
|
Garda Youth and Diversion Projects |
4.49 |
11.51 |
16.00 |
|
Childcare |
69.00 |
181.00 |
250.00 |
|
Equality Positive Actions |
6.12 |
17.08 |
23.20 |
|
Total |
99.09 |
260.86 |
359.94 |
NDP Employment and Human Resources Development Programme
|
Measure |
£ million |
|
|
Equal Opportunities Promotion and Monitoring Unit |
The Unit will be located in the S+E Region |
4.00 |