Ceist:
79 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the measures he is taking to achieve the social inclusion aims of the EU social policy agenda. [5752/01]
Written Answers. - EU Social Policy.
The most immediate measure which member states are required to take to achieve the social inclusion aims set out in the social policy agenda is to draw up a two year national action plan to combat exclusion by 1 June this year. This will be based on objectives agreed by the European Council in Nice in December.
For each objective the progress aimed for by national policies is to be set out. It was also agreed that the indicators used to assess the results of the action undertaken should be listed in the plan.
Ireland is fortunate in already having structures and processes in place under the national anti-poverty strategy, which effectively can take on the preparation and implementation of the national action plan. An official in the national poverty unit has been appointed to co-ordinate preparation of the plan, in liaison with the officials representing Ireland on the EU Social Protection Committee. This committee has overall responsibility for co-ordinating preparation of the plans EU wide.
A seminar on the process has been arranged for 9 March which will be attended by officials of the relevant services of the EU Commission and representatives of the relevant stakeholders in Ireland. The purpose of the seminar is to have an open exchange of information and debate about the process.
A review of the NAPS is also already under way under Framework III of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The findings of this review, due for completion in September, which are available by June will be fully taken into account in drawing up the national action plan.
The many developments across a wide range of relevant policy areas currently in train and the commitments entered into in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness will form the basis for our national action plan. The progress we intend to achieve in these areas over the next two years will be set down, together with new areas of action considered necessary, and the ways we intend to measure the progress being achieved.
It is also our intention to fully avail under the EU Commission action programme of the opportunities available to exchange experiences, information and good practices with other member states. We have much to learn from these member states in this regard, some of whom have the best systems of social protection in the world, combining both high employment rates and low levels of social exclusion. Likewise we have much to share of our own experience, given our recent economic and social progress. The European Union is embarking on a major concerted effort to combat poverty and social exclusion and Ireland is well prepared and determined to take our full part in this most worthy process.