Vol. 572 No. 2
207 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the priorities of her Department in respect of Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2004; if her attention has been drawn to the interest being generated by these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22676/03]
My overall focus for the Irish Presidency will be to advance the EU social policy agenda generally and, in particular, make progress in delivering on the Lisbon agenda.
One of the goals of the Lisbon agenda is to achieve greater social cohesion. At present the second round reports on national action plans for social inclusion are being evaluated. This process will lead to the second joint inclusion report for approval by the Council of Ministers and for presentation to the European Council at its spring meeting during the Irish Presidency. Ireland will also be hosting a conference of people experiencing poverty. Its aim will be to further develop ways of promoting participation by and consultation with people experiencing poverty in the context of developing policies in this area.
Making work pay or addressing the financial incentives to encourage people to seek, take up, and remain in work is one of the key policy areas that will be addressed as part of our contribution to modernising social protection systems. This issue has been chosen as the main theme for discussion at the informal Council of Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs meeting in January.
The issue of migration will be another priority for my Department during the Irish Presidency. In April we will host a conference using the theme, "Reconciling mobility and social inclusion". Its main focus will be on the role of social and economic policies in achieving social inclusion for migrants.
A major priority will be to campaign for the adoption, by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament, of the proposals to simplify and modernise the EU regulations on social security of migrant workers. They will provide migrant workers moving within the EU with a more streamlined set of rules aimed at protecting their social security and healthcare rights. Following the accession of the ten new member states in May, we intend to host a special conference, in co-operation with the Hungarian Government, on the practical application of the new regulations for all member states.
Family policy is another priority for the Irish Presidency. To mark the 10th anniversary of the UN International Year of the Family, we will host a major international conference entitled Families, Change and Social Policy in Europe.
I am aware of the interest being raised in regard to the Irish Presidency in general, particularly social policy issues. I look forward to progressing this agenda actively during our Presidency.
