Vol. 540 No. 2
77 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the contact which is ongoing between local authority social inclusion units and his Department; if he has consulted with the units on the setting of targets for the elimination of poverty, social exclusion and disadvantage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20101/01]
The reform of local government is one of the key objectives of this Government. We are strongly committed to bringing real power back to local communities and to building an inclusive society – one where everybody can contribute to and share in the benefits of social and economic development. Underlining both the current review of the national anti-poverty strategy and the ongoing reform of local government, is the understanding that experience on the ground must be listened to if empowerment and inclusion are to be achieved.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides for the introduction of the national anti-poverty strategy in local authorities and the extension of the poverty proofing process, on a phased basis, to local government and over the lifetime of the programme nine local authorities will pilot social inclusion units.
The initiation of this process, which is being jointly undertaken by my Department, the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Combat Poverty Agency, took place in 2000 when a number of regional seminars to extend the national anti-poverty strategy analysis to local level were held. Of particular note is the local government learning network, launched last October, which is a joint initiative between these organisations to support the development of a strong anti-poverty focus within local government. The network features strong representation from social inclusion units, other local authority officials, and councillors. The network has met twice this year and is supported by a local government advisory committee, which has a specific mandate to provide a channel for local authority experience to feed into central Government policy.
Question No. 78 answered with Question No. 35.
