Written answers

Wednesday, 17 October 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Anti-Poverty Strategy

9:00 pm

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in his Department on the roll out of the poverty impact assessment to ensure that all policies are evaluated in terms of their potential impact on poverty and social inclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24108/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Given the nature of this Department's work, our policies and programmes normally do not have direct impact on poverty and social inclusion in Ireland. In June 2006, officials from the Office of Social Inclusion briefed the relevant sections of this Department regarding implementation of the guidelines on poverty impact assessment which were issued in April 2006. All proposals submitted by this Department to Government address the impact such decisions will have on poverty.

I would like to underline the important role of my Department in the reduction of poverty abroad. This is particularly evident in Ireland's development co-operation programmes and in our work assisting Irish emigrants abroad. Poverty reduction in developing countries is the overarching objective of Irish Aid. Among donor countries, Irish Aid has been a leading player in developing and encouraging the roll-out of Poverty Impact Assessment as a means of increasing the proportion of aid that directly targets and benefits poor people.

The Government is providing an unprecedented level of support for Irish citizens abroad. The primary focus of this funding is on supporting welfare services for our most vulnerable and marginalised citizens abroad, though the increased funding of recent years has also enabled us to support a number of capital projects, as well as some culture and heritage projects. A Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Emigrants Programme carried out recently stated that the systems and procedures are well designed to achieve a positive impact.

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