Micheál Martin
Ceist:452 Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress being made on the National Plan for Social Inclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13653/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 April 2012
Ceisteanna (360)
Freagraí scríofa
The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2001-2016 (NAPinclusion) identifies a wide range of targeted actions and interventions to achieve the overall objective of reducing consistent poverty. My Department has recently completed the third annual report on social inclusion. This report will outline progress in implementing the NAPinclusion over the two-year period from January 2009 to December 2010. The report is currently being prepared for publication and will be made publically available as soon as possible. My Department also convened the annual Social Inclusion Forum to consult with all relevant stakeholders on social inclusion issues and progress in NAPinclusion.
NAPinclusion sets outs the national poverty target to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty. The latest data on consistent poverty from the Central Statistics Office relates to 2010, when the rate of consistent poverty was 6.2 per cent. According to the CSO, this ‘represents no statistically significant change on the 2009 figure of 5.5 per cent'. By comparison, the 2005 baseline figure for the national poverty target was 7 per cent.
The Programme for Government provides that the elimination of poverty is a key objective of this Government. Given the challenging economic and fiscal context, the Government has undertaken a comprehensive review of the national poverty target in order to ensure that it remains appropriate and achievable. I expect the review of the national poverty target to be finalised shortly.
A rapid return to sustainable economic growth and the development of inclusive labour market policies are crucial to reduce poverty and social exclusion. The Government recently publish its policy statement on labour market activation called Pathways to Work. The approach is to ensure that as many new jobs opportunities as possible filled by those on the Live Register, so that unemployed, in particular the long-term unemployed, can benefit from an improvement in economic conditions. My Department will be playing a key role in this regard through the establishment of the National Employment and Entitlements Service.