Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department has received either or both reviews recently undertaken of the Combat Poverty Agency; and the action he will take on foot of these reviews. [26282/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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At this time, there are a number of reviews, in relation to the work of the Combat Poverty Agency which are at different stages of progression.

A review of the Agency's Research Programme was initiated in May 2007, by the Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion of my Department. The review is being carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants and it will inter alia

Assess the activities, output and outcomes of the research programme;

Review the programme's contribution to research on poverty;

Benchmark the Agency's research programme against best practice in the design and implementation of similar social research programmes in Ireland and internationally;

Advise on the future direction of the research programme, particularly with regard to the most effective allocation and optimum use of research resources, both within the Agency and in collaboration with other organisations.

A steering committee comprising representatives of the Combat Poverty Agency, the Office for Social Inclusion, relevant government departments, and Goodbody Economic Consultants is overseeing the work. I have been advised that the Review is nearing completion and will be made available to the Board and to my Department before the end of 2007.

In line with a commitment in Towards 2016, a review of the Combat Poverty Agency's programmes that facilitate the participation of the community and voluntary sector and people experiencing poverty in the policy making process, has been in progress over the period 2006 and 2007.

I have been advised that aspects of that review remain to be considered further by the Review Steering Committee, which oversaw the project, before it is finalised for the Board of the Agency and my Department.

The Government have decided that a review of the Combat Poverty Agency will be undertaken by my Department in association with other relevant departments. The review will commence shortly. It will be undertaken as part of my Department's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative programme for 2006-2008 and, when completed, will include recommendations to the on the future role and functions of the Agency in a changed environment.

Arrangements are in hand to establish a Steering Committee comprising senior officials from my Department and other relevant Government departments, and representatives from the Agency to oversee the task. I expect that the review will be completed in mid 2008.