Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress on each of the three reviews of the Combat Poverty Agency that are currently underway; and the action he will take on foot of these reviews. [32202/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The reviews, in relation to the work of the Combat Poverty Agency, are at different stages of progression.

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

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. 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. Some aspects of that review remain to be considered further before it is finalised.

The review of the Combat Poverty Agency, which the Government has decided will be undertaken by my Department, will commence shortly. It will form part of my Department's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative programme for 2006-2008 and, when completed, will include recommendations on the future role and functions of the Agency in a changed environment.

Mr Niall Callan, formerly Secretary General of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been appointed Chairperson of a Steering Committee comprising senior officials from my Department, other relevant Government departments and the Combat Poverty Agency, which has been established to oversee the task. It will hold its first meeting before the end of the year.

I expect that the review will be completed in mid 2008.