Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2007
988 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the functions and membership of the local government social inclusion steering group; when this group was established; the number of times this group has met in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10576/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Government Social Inclusion Steering Group was established in late 2004. Its function is to promote and support the embedding of social inclusion in local government in the context of national policies. The Group includes representatives of my Department, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Local Government Management Services Board, the County/City Managers Association, the Institute of Public Administration, the Office for Social Inclusion, and also more recently of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It has met on 16 occasions in the past two years. In line with the commitment in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016, the work of the Group will be further developed to support linkages between the national and local level promoting social inclusion at local government level and will report to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, as appropriate.
