Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 404: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will include CORI justice commission policy recommendations (details supplied) in all policy areas within his Department. [25737/04]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The recommendations to which the Deputy refers form part of CORI's most recent policy briefing in which it sets out its main recommendations for budget 2005.

In the latter regard, I recently held a pre-budget forum, attended by 27 different organisations, including CORI. These organisations, representing the welfare interests of a wide variety of people, put forward a range of proposals and initiatives relevant to my Department. At the forum, I also extended a personal invitation to each of the organisations attending to meet with me on an individual basis over the next number of months and this process is already in train.

I will be developing budget proposals on the various proposals within my own area of responsibility, having regard to the views expressed by the various organisations who attended the forum, including CORI, and in the light of existing Government commitments on social welfare schemes.