Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions that have taken place between her Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the local anti-poverty strategies; the position regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24747/08]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions that have taken place between her Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the provision of social inclusion officers in local authorities; the position regarding same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24748/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 98 together.

The effective delivery of services at both national and local levels with flexibility to adapt to change is essential in tackling poverty and social exclusion. This can best be achieved if the services are coordinated and, where appropriate, integrated at local and national levels and between these levels. The importance of this approach is recognised in Towards 2016, the National Development Plan 2007-2013 and the new National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 (NAPinclusion).

The Local Government Social Inclusion Steering Group is a key element in this process. The Group is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and includes representation from this Department, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, local government, the Combat Poverty Agency and the Institute of Public Administration. The purpose of the Group is to promote and support the embedding of social inclusion in local government in the context of national policies.

A key project is the development of Local Anti-Poverty Strategies, with a view to providing a model of good practice for counties and cities. Funding and support to a number of local authorities has been provided by the Combat Poverty Agency. In 2003 supports were provided to Cork City Council, Donegal County Council and Westmeath County Council. In 2005 Laois County Council and Wicklow County Council received supports. It is understood that some other local authorities have also developed Social Inclusion Strategies. Discussions on the development of these strategies take place at Steering Group meetings, and include regular progress reports from the Combat Poverty Agency on its work in this area.

The provision of social inclusion officers in local authorities is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. In line with the commitment in Towards 2016, pilot social inclusion units have now been established in half of all county and city councils with support funding from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. This Department has supported the social inclusion unit programme from the outset, particularly in the context of participation in the aforementioned Local Government Social Inclusion Steering Group. The Department was also represented on the inter-departmental Group which oversaw the recent extension of the units to a further nine local authorities. The ongoing exchange of information on social inclusion issues and activities between all levels of government is a key element of the process and as part of this the Steering Group recently oversaw the hosting of a seminar in April 2007 to disseminate information regarding Local Anti-Poverty and Social Inclusion Strategies to local authorities.