Dr. Tricia Keilthy:

I will take the questions thematically because there are many common issues across the feedback. We fully agree on the delay and concerns about the publication of the forthcoming national anti-poverty strategy. It is critical in regard to the issues we highlighted, which we see every day. We need a clear statement on where we want to see our country go on this and how we will get there. It is important that the strategy is published and features targets, including sub-targets, for groups such as lone parents and people with disabilities. Furthermore, supporting actions and ring-fenced resources to implement the strategy must also be provided. The Europe 2020 strategy includes commitments on poverty and we also have commitments under the sustainable development goals. These commitments need to feed into the national anti-poverty strategy as well.

Our big ask is that the strategy needs a genuine whole-of-Government approach. It is not only a matter for the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Everybody in government has a responsibility to treat the difficulties people have with housing costs, childcare costs and utilities as a priority. The issue Senator Higgins raised regarding gender and equality proofing also needs to be part of the strategy. While we fully support the gender and equality proofing movement, one concern we have is that the poverty proofing element may get lost because socioeconomic status is not one of the grounds for discrimination under our equality legislation. It is important, therefore, that his work is also highlighted because it is a major issue that people can be discriminated against based on socioeconomic status.