Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the position regarding the Government's pledge to eliminate consistent poverty; the steps her Department has taken on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34829/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her views on whether the Irish State is on course to eradicate poverty in the coming years. [34849/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 163 together.

Combating poverty and building an inclusive society are key priorities for the Government. The overall goal of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) introduced in February 2007 is to reduce the number of those experiencing consistent poverty to between 2 per cent and 4 per cent by 2012, with the aim of eliminating consistent poverty by 2016. These commitments and the social inclusion commitments in the National Development Plan have wide-ranging support, having been drawn up in consultation with the social partners and other stakeholders.

The latest results from the EU Survey on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC), released in November 2007, indicate the Government being on target to achieve this goal. It showed that the rate of consistent poverty in the population in 2006 was 6.5 per cent, down from 7 per cent in 2005 and 8.2 per cent in 2003. The next round of EU-SILC results which will show the position in 2007 will be available shortly.

The NAPinclusion contains 12 high level strategic goals in key priority areas and over 150 more detailed targets and actions designed to meet the goals set down. The Plan has a particular focus on the effective delivery and implementation of quality public services for each stage of the lifecycle. Detailed action targets cover the broad spectrum of services including education, health and long-term care, housing, income support, employment supports, early childhood development and care, transport, and sport and culture.

The NAPinclusion provides for a comprehensive and efficient monitoring and reporting process, the key element of which is the preparation by the Office for Social Inclusion, based in my Department, of an annual Social Inclusion Report. The first Social Inclusion Report, published last November, showed that progress has been made and that social inclusion targets were on track for the period under review.

This Government remains committed to delivering on its commitments in the NAPinclusion, as resources permit. Even in these difficult economic times, the Government has prioritised delivering real increases in social welfare payments. The Budget provides for increases of between 3 per cent and 3.8 per cent in the basic rates next year, ahead of the projected rate of inflation of 2.5% for 2009.