Vol. 549 No. 3
54 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will report on research by the NESC, published in December 2001, on poverty proofing of Government programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3640/02]
64 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when he expects to publish the report commissioned from the NESC on poverty proofing; when the report will be brought to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6611/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 54 and 64 together.
The report of the NESC, entitled Review of the Poverty Proofing Process, was prepared in response to a request from my Department on behalf of the interdepartmental policy committee which has provided the central focus for the National Anti-Poverty Strategy since its launch in 1997. The contents of the NESC report were noted by Government prior to its publication in December 2001.
Deputies will be aware that since late 1998, all memoranda for Government and key policy initiatives, upon which significant policy decisions have to be made, are required to be poverty proofed. The comprehensive review of the poverty proofing process undertaken by the NESC is timely and provides the basis for the further development and enhancement of the process.
The NESC report indicates that the process has had a positive impact, notably in terms of sensitising policy makers to the poverty dimension of policies. It makes a number of recommendations aimed at increasing this impact and further enhancing the effectiveness of the process in relation to policy impact assessment.
The review examines issues such as how the poverty proofing process might distinguish between large integrated programmes and other more self-contained proposals. It also assesses how the poverty proofing process might be integrated with broader policy proofing requirements, such as equality proofing. The development of the poverty proofing process will be undertaken in the context of the implementation of the revised National Anti-Poverty Strategy, Building an Inclusive Society, which the Taoiseach and I will formally launch tomorrow. The conclusions and recommendations contained in the NESC report will be central to that development.
55 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when the review of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6486/02]
73 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the progress made to date in the comprehensive review of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy in consultation with the social partners; if it is intended to publish the National Anti-Poverty Strategy framework document; if the revised strategy has been presented to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6610/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 73 together.
I am pleased to advise the Deputies that the revised National Anti-Poverty Strategy, entitled Building an Inclusive Society, has been approved by Government and will be formally launched tomorrow by the Taoiseach and I.
This publication is the outcome of a process committed to under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. This process involved a review of the methodology underlying the strategy and a review and revision, where appropriate, of existing targets. New targets in the areas of health and housing-accommodation as well as specific targets in relation to vulnerable groups are included in the revised strategy.
I am confident that the new strategy will provide the basis for further progress towards our goal of effectively eradicating poverty in this country and that it will add impetus to our policies for increasing social inclusion.
Building an Inclusive Society expands the scope of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy and strengthens it through bolder policies and robust institutional structures. The new targets will represent a more ambitious approach to the reduction of poverty in Ireland. The revised strategy also recognises the importance of the collection of accurate and timely data both nationally and in relation to specific groups.
The publication of the revised strategy comes at the end of a long consultation process in which the social partners fully participated. The framework document which sets out the results of this process in some detail will also be available from tomorrow.
The framework document and the Government's new strategy document aim to build on the significant progress we have made since the NAPS was launched. After the exceptional economic growth we have enjoyed in recent years, it is important now to put the policies in place that can continue to improve the lives of our most vulnerable citizens in the years ahead.
Question No. 56 answered with Question No. 53.
