David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the efforts he is making at local authority level to reduce poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11900/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The promotion of social inclusion is a key policy objective for Government. Local authorities have an important role in achieving this objective at local level, reflecting their democratic mandate, wide ranging service delivery functions and specific responsibilities in areas such as housing and community development. The Local Government Act 2001 identifies social inclusion as a core issue that should be reflected in local government activities. Local authorities also participate in delivering the national anti-poverty strategy, NAPS, and the national action plan against poverty and social exclusion 2003-05.

Local authorities are giving effect to their role and responsibilities in tackling poverty and promoting social inclusion through the implementation of a range of initiatives. For example, in line with guidelines issued by my predecessor in 2004 local authorities are now required to ensure social inclusion is properly addressed in their corporate plans and supporting annual operational plans. In 2002 pilot social inclusion units were established for a three year period in seven local authorities with funding of €4.1 million to date from my Department. I extended the programme for one more year to enable its future operation to be considered further. The local government anti-poverty learning network, representative of elected members and officials, was established in 2000 to provide a forum for sharing information and exchanging different local experiences and best practice on anti-poverty measures. Local authorities are supporting the RAPID programme, revitalising areas by planning investment and development, which is targeted at the most disadvantaged areas and under which such areas are prioritised for investment to tackle social exclusion. The cost to local authorities of employing the local co-ordinators in RAPID areas is met directly by my Department at a cost of €2.8 million per annum.

County and city development boards led by local government, and comprising social partners, State agencies and local development organisations operating locally, were established in 2000 to bring about the more co-ordinated delivery of public and local development services at local level. The boards have an important role in promoting social inclusion and tackling poverty at a local level. Each county or city local authority also has a community and enterprise unit which provides administrative back up to the board and supports the local authorities' expanded role in community development and social inclusion. Community and voluntary fora, established in each city and county in 2000 with funding of more than €1.2 million per annum from my Department, are also supported by local authorities. The fora are involved in promoting social inclusion and facilitating community representation on public sector structures.

Local authorities have a pivotal responsibility in providing and supporting the provision of social and affordable housing. Access to housing for low income groups is particularly important in tackling issues of poverty and social exclusion. More than €2 billion will be spent in 2005 on various housing measures. Local authorities' five-year action plans for social and affordable housing now provide the basis for delivery of housing measures in an integrated and holistic manner and in a manner which breaks cycles of dependency and disadvantage. The plans cover not only the capital investment in new housing units but also address regeneration of run down estates and policies on estate management and maintenance, all of which are key to developing good living environments for social housing tenants. I am satisfied that local authorities are now well placed, co-operating as necessary with other agencies, to meet the needs of the socially disadvantaged at local level.