Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2006
405 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent annual report of the Combat Poverty Agency which called for a systematic reform of the way in which Government policies are implemented, and a whole of Government approach in order that targets to reduce poverty are reached; if he will act on the call made by the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31955/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was very glad to recently launch the 2005 Annual Report of the Combat Poverty Agency. In addition to outlining the work of the agency, the report includes a commentary on translating strategy into action.
The need for a strategic whole of Government approach reflects the complex nature of poverty, which is multifaceted in its causes and effects and, as a consequence, requires a multi-policy response. Since 1997 with the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS), the Government has adopted this approach.
A revised and updated National Action Plan is currently being prepared and will be completed before year end. This Plan is being prepared in tandem with and complementing the forthcoming National Development Plan 2007-2013, which for the first time will contain a specific chapter on social inclusion.
The National Action Plan will build on the social inclusion priorities and objectives contained in Ireland's recent progress report to the EU on Social Protection and Social Inclusion and in the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement. All three strategies will encompass a new lifecycle approach within which the key social challenges will be addressed by assessing the risks which individuals face and the supports available to them at each stage in the life cycle. The key life cycle stages are Children, People of Working Age, Older People and People with Disabilities. This strategic framework will help to create more coherent and integrated structures and facilitate better reporting and monitoring across the spectrum of government activity in the area of social inclusion. It is being designed to more systematically overcome difficulties in implementation from insufficient coordination and integration, which may have hampered progress in the past.
A key priority of this Government has been to reduce and, if possible, eliminate consistent poverty. The EU-SILC survey in 2004 showed a significant reduction in the consistent poverty rate, from 8.8 per cent in 2003 to 6.8 per cent in 2004 continuing a downward trend over the period since 1997. The low levels of unemployment, and the substantial resources devoted to social welfare and other social services, which have been increasing in real terms since 1997 are bringing about this downward trend. It is estimated that some 250,000 people have been lifted out of consistent poverty over the past ten years.
In the ten years since the first Strategy, much has been achieved in Ireland towards realising the EU aim of making a decisive impact on poverty. Much has also been learned from our own experience in Ireland and from that of other Member States on how more effective, coordinated implementation of strategies can be achieved.
Strategies for social inclusion include a range of actions on employment, social welfare, education, health, housing, disability, equality and many other areas. Making the strategy and its further development happen requires the direct involvement of a network of different entities through institutional arrangements encompassing the Government, senior departmental officials, social partners, key State Agencies, local authorities, community and voluntary groups and the general public. The Office for Social Inclusion (OSI) in my Department works closely with these bodies to ensure effective implementation of the targets. Arising from a commitment in Towards 2016, the Office will in future have wider responsibilities in relation to oversight of social inclusion policies.
The availability of appropriate data is necessary for monitoring policy impacts and the lack of such data is a barrier to evaluating progress towards the achievement of outcomes. The OSI will continue its work to ensure that robust and reliable data is available to enable effective monitoring. The greater availability of comprehensive data will also assist the formulation of effective evidence-based policies. The OSI also recently produced new guidelines for Poverty Impact Assessment to enhance the current poverty proofing of policies. These will be an effective tool in ensuring the mainstreaming of poverty and social exclusion considerations in all policy making and in requiring a rigorous assessment of the impact of policies on those who are most vulnerable.
