Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding each of the reviews of the Combat Poverty Agency; and the outcome and main conclusions of those that are now finalised. [12197/08]

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 the Department, was carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants. Its objectives were to

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.

The work was overseen by a steering committee comprising representatives of the Combat Poverty Agency, the Office for Social Inclusion, and relevant government departments, as well as Goodbody Economic Consultants. The review has now been completed and the final report has just recently been made available to my Department and to the Board of the Agency and is being currently considered.

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 forms part of the Department's Value for Money and Policy Review Initiative programme for 2006-2008 commenced in December 2007. When completed, it will include recommendations on the future role and functions of the Agency.

Mr. Niall Callan, formerly Secretary General of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is the Chairperson of the Steering Committee. The membership of the Steering Committee, which is overseeing the task, comprises senior officials from my Department, other relevant government departments and the Combat Poverty Agency. I expect that this review will be completed in mid 2008.