Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 November 2004
118 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the report on socioeconomic conditions in west Tallaght by the Tallaght west childhood development initiative; his views on the high incidence of social disadvantage highlighted therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28197/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the study and, like many others, am concerned at its findings. It demonstrates the urgency of the action required to combat poverty, which impacts on our most vulnerable citizens, especially our children.
The study is based on a sample of 187 children drawn from 79 households in Tallaght west. The area differs from the average in this country in the following important respects. The population is much younger than the average, 54% under 25 years, compared to the national average of 37%, while the proportion of children leaving education early is significantly higher than the national average. Almost 7% of the population lives with a disability of whom 14.6% are under 15 years age, compared to an national average of 5.3%. The proportion unemployed, at 10.6%, is more than twice the national average, while a further 4.6% are unable to work. Almost one in three, 32.6%, of households are headed by a lone parent, with just under 24% of lone parent households having a child under 15 years, compared to national averages of 12% and 5.3% respectively. Those living in the area are, therefore, at a higher risk of poverty than the national average.
The national anti-poverty strategy, NAPS, which has been in operation since 1997, is being constantly developed, a process being co-ordinated by the office for social inclusion in my Department. The strategy is designed to meet the type of challenges highlighted by this study, challenges which are cross cutting in nature and which require an integrated approach to dealing with them. A key objective of the strategy is to move towards eliminating child poverty and to have a situation of greater equality for all in terms of access to appropriate education, health and housing, thereby seeking to break the cycle of disadvantage and exclusion experienced by certain children in society.
A report on implementation of the strategy for the period 2003 to 2004 is currently being finalised and will be published shortly. This will provide a basis for an evaluation of the progress made so far in combating poverty and social exclusion and what the priorities should be for further action. The evaluation will take place in consultation with the social partners, the community and voluntary sector and other interested parties, with a view to a report being forwarded to the EU in June next year.
A key priority will be to further develop a more effective regional and locally based approach to combating poverty, within the context of the RAPID programme — revitalising areas by planning, investment and development. This programme, launched in 2001, is designed to improve the quality and delivery of services and facilities in identified areas of urban disadvantage, which includes parts of west Tallaght. The ongoing review of the NAPS will examine how national policies in areas such as income and employment supports, child care, health, and education can be better integrated with locally based services to more effectively combat concentrations of poverty, especially in areas of deprivation. Above all the review will seek to identify priorities for immediate action, given the urgency of significantly improving the well being of the children, whose situation is so well documented in the study.
The findings of studies such as this are being fully taken into account in this process. I have also asked my officials to discuss the study with the authors and to identify other priorities for action.
