Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

Elimination of poverty is an objective of Government. We are committed to achieving the targets in the national action plan for social inclusion to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty. That target is to reduce the number of those experiencing consistent poverty to between 2% and 4% by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016. The target is reiterated in the draft national reform programme submitted to the EU Commission in December 2010, which sets out Ireland's commitments to achieving the poverty target in the Europe 2020 strategy.

The challenge to meet the national poverty target in the present economic situation is considerable, as indicated by the rise in the consistent poverty rate from 4.2% in 2008 to 5.5% in 2009. The overriding objective now is to increase employment, build real and sustainable economic growth and to protect those who are most vulnerable in society.

The Government programme sets out the framework to achieve these aims. Employment opportunities will be increased through labour market activation, skills training and education measures. The Government is committed to ensuring that the social protection system remains an important stabiliser for people against the impact of the economic and fiscal downturn. Research across Europe shows that Ireland's system of social protection is one of the best at protecting against poverty. Measures to identify poverty traps and to support people in moving from welfare to work and to counter welfare fraud are key commitments in the Government's plan.

As Minister with responsibility for children and youth affairs, child poverty is a priority concern for me. Poverty affects people differently across their life cycle and children in certain circumstances are particularly vulnerable. The Government's decision that the Family Support Agency will come under my remit will provide new opportunities to improve services for children and families and to secure improved outcomes for the most vulnerable children. This will be an important consideration in the context of the plans for the new children and families support services agency.

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