Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he agrees with the views of the Combat Poverty Agency (details supplied) that there have been problems regarding the effective implementation of the Governments poverty strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31845/06]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he plans to publish the promised new two year social inclusion action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31726/06]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent annual report of the Combat Poverty Agency which called for a systematic reform of the way in which Government policies are implemented, and a whole of Government approach in order that targets to reduce poverty are reached; if he intends to act on the call made by the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31721/06]

Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on the main barriers to implementation of his Department's anti-poverty policies; the way he will address these barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31846/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 147, 177 and 185 together.

I was very glad to recently launch the 2005 Annual Report of the Combat Poverty Agency. In addition to outlining the work of the agency, the report includes a commentary on translating strategy into action.

The need for a strategic approach reflects the complex nature of poverty, which is multi-faceted in its causes and effects and, as a consequence, requires a multi-policy response. Since 1997, with the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS), the Government has adopted this approach. Ireland also actively promoted and engaged in EU-wide developments in this area and produced National Action Plans against Poverty and Social Exclusion (NAP inclusion) in 2001 and 2003, in accordance with EU guidelines. The most recent such development is, Ireland's Report on National Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2006-2008 (NSSPI), which also incorporates strategies on pensions, healthcare and long-term care, submitted to the EU in September.

In tandem with the EU arrangements, a new National Action Plan is being prepared which will outline in more detail on the Government's strategies and will be completed before year-end. The Plan is also being prepared in tandem with and will compliment the forthcoming National Development Plan 2007-2013, which will contain a specific chapter on social inclusion.

The National Action Plan will build on the social inclusion priorities and objectives contained in the NSSPI and the Towards 2016 social partnership agreement. All three strategies encompass a new lifecycle approach within which the key social challenges are addressed, by assessing the risks which individuals face and the supports available to them at each stage in the life cycle. The key areas for attention are Children, People of Working Age, Older People and People with Disabilities. This strategic framework will help to create more coherent and integrated structures and facilitate better and more effective reporting and monitoring across the spectrum of government activity in the area of social inclusion. It is being designed to more systematically overcome difficulties in implementation arising from insufficient coordination and integration.

A key priority for this Government has been to reduce and, if possible, eliminate consistent poverty. The EU-SILC survey in 2004 showed a significant reduction in the consistent poverty rate, from 8.8 per cent in 2003 to 6.8 per cent in 2004 continuing a downward trend over the period since 1997. The low levels of unemployment achieved, and the substantial resources devoted to social welfare and other social services, which have been increasing in real terms since 1997, are bringing about this downward trend. It is estimated that some 250,000 people have been lifted out of consistent poverty over the past ten years.

In the ten years since the first NAPS, much has been achieved in Ireland towards the EU aim of making a decisive impact on poverty. Much has also been learned, both from our own experience in Ireland and from that of other Member States, on how more effective, coordinated implementation of strategies can be achieved.

One key priority is to apply what has been learned to the National Action Plan being prepared and in the arrangements being made for its full implementation.

Strategies for social inclusion include a range of actions on employment, social welfare, education, health, housing, disability, equality and other areas. Achieving the necessary results requires institutional arrangements encompassing Government, senior Departmental officials, social partners, key State Agencies, local authorities, community and voluntary groups and the general public. The Office for Social Inclusion (OSI) in my Department works closely with these bodies to ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan targets. Arising from a commitment in Towards 2016, the Office will have wider responsibilities in relation to oversight of social inclusion policies.

The availability of appropriate data is necessary for monitoring policy impacts and the lack of such data is a barrier to evaluating progress towards the achievement of outcomes. The OSI will continue its work to ensure that robust and reliable data is available to facilitate effective monitoring.. The greater availability of comprehensive data will also assist the formulation of effective evidence-based policies. The OSI also recently produced new guidelines for Poverty Impact Assessment to enhance the current poverty proofing of policies. These will be an effective tool in ensuring the mainstreaming of poverty and social exclusion considerations in all policy making and by requiring a rigorous assessment of the impact of policies on those who are most vulnerable.