Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the recently published three year strategy from the Combat Poverty Agency to address poverty here; the steps he intends to take to deal with the issues highlighted in the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11832/05]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the way in which he will develop policy proposals for persons in poverty to have access to quality health and education services and housing, as set out in the Combat Poverty Agency's strategic plan; if his Department plans to lead an interdepartmental strategy to combat poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11806/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 148 together.

The current national action plan against poverty and social exclusion which covers the period 2003-05 sets out in detail the actions being taken by Government to give effect to its strategy to combat poverty and social exclusion. The plan sets out commitments and targets for all relevant Government Departments aimed at meeting the Lisbon pledge "to make a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty" by 2010. It incorporates the strategic approach to tackling poverty in the National Anti-Poverty Strategy 1997-2007 and reflects the social inclusion commitments agreed in sustaining progress.

The plan has been drawn up on the basis of an overall structure for such plans agreed at EU level under the open method of co-ordination process. It thus recognises that the causes of poverty and its effects are multifaceted and require an integrated, multi-policy response for application at national, regional and local levels.

Last December, 2004, I launched the first detailed report by the office for social inclusion on implementation of this plan covering the first year of its application. The annual report is designed to ensure that progress in implementing the plan is closely and regularly monitored. I also arranged for the report to be put on the website of the office for social inclusion to further facilitate access to the comprehensive information on the measures being taken here in Ireland to combat poverty and social exclusion.

An evaluation of the progress achieved is currently being made by the office for social inclusion in consultation with all relevant Departments. This is due for completion and submission to the EU Commission by end June. This will in turn form the basis for drawing up the next national action plan due for submission to the Commission by end 2006.

As Minister for Social and Family Affairs, I have lead responsibility for driving this process, working closely with my ministerial colleagues through the Cabinet committee on social inclusion.

The office for social inclusion, OSI, in my Department co-ordinates the process at official level through ongoing liaison with individual Departments, its own management group of assistant secretaries, the senior officials group on social inclusion, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, and the social inclusion consultative group, composed of representatives of the social partners and the community and voluntary sector.

The Combat Poverty Agency has a key and valued role at every stage of this process, working closely with the office for social inclusion. Its four general functions are: policy advice; project support and innovation; research; and public education.

The agency's strategic plan sets out goals across three main areas: distribution of income and employment; access to health and education services of high quality; and the further development of and local and regional-level responses to poverty.

Full account will be taken by the OSI and by individual Departments, of the agency's strategy, its views and advice on policy, and of its experience and expertise, in monitoring and evaluating progress in achieving the objectives of the national anti-poverty strategy and in its further development.