Finian McGrath
Ceist:447 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the practical proposals that her Department has to improve the quality of life for families on low income and children in poverty. [13746/03]
Written Answers. - Family Support Services.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have taken a number of initiatives recently which will develop and improve Government policy on the family and ensure that adequate supports are in place for families and groups vulnerable to poverty and social exclusion.
The Family Support Agency is now in place and will further strengthen the institutional framework for the development of effective and responsive family support services. In addition, I have recently initiated a series of consultation fora on the family, which are designed to provide me with an opportunity to hear the views of a wide range of family members and those who work with them from different regions of the country. In particular, I am interested in discussing the challenges facing families today, the impact of current Government policies and programmes on families and what participants see as the priorities for supporting families and strengthening family well-being.
The outcome of these public consultations will also inform my Department's preparation for the tenth anniversary celebration of the United Nations International Year of the Family 2004. The National Anti-Poverty Strategy, NAPS, prioritises the enhancement of the quality of life of vulnerable groups, as well as their income, by targeting the reduction of consistent poverty. The Government has committed to reducing the numbers of those who are consistently poor to below 2% and, if possible, eliminating consistent poverty. Particular attention is being paid to reducing consistent poverty among vulnerable groups, such as low-income families and children. There are also a number of targets relating to education, health, housing and income which will contribute to improving the quality of life for those on low income.
In the current social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress, the Government has reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of life for children. The agreement targets services as well as income to ensure a better start for all children and sets out a number of objectives which are to be achieved in consultation with the social partners, the National Children's Office and other relevant bodies. The Government recognises the importance of supporting and protecting families and children and is fully committed to achieving the NAPS targets and the objectives in Sustaining Progress. I am confident these initiatives, together with the review of family policy currently under way will contribute to an increase in the quality of life for families on low income and children in poverty.