Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As for the initiatives it has dealt with, it was, for example, centrally involved in the disability strategy, as well as in the policy for travellers and so on. It also has been involved in implementing such initiatives and ensuring that they can be dealt with by liaising with Departments to ensure that such issues continue to be part of their policy goals and how resources are spent. While it has that brief, it is not in the business of initiating the policy of the Department of Social and Family Affairs or of doing everyone else's job. It is a question of co-ordinating the jobs of various Departments in order that a coherent position exists across all these issues with regard to disability and social inclusion generally, as well as assisting with that process of policy development.

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