Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

People are seriously concerned about the live register. They are interested in policies and how we will tackle the problem. They are also interested to know if we have the correct information to help us do it. By integrating the office of social inclusion and the Combat Poverty Agency we will get exactly what the steering group recommended — the strengthening and enhancement of both. We will have close alliances of great expertise and we will be able to use it in the best interests of people experiencing poverty.

There are many amendments relating to staff and functions, which we can deal with on an individual basis. It is important that the overall message is very clear; this is about ensuring the work, expertise and the voice of combating poverty in this country is strengthened as part of a unit that will have direct access and even more influence over Government policy than heretofore.

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