Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Inclusion Forum will be held in 2015; the key themes for the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11262/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The annual Social Inclusion Forum will take place on 25th March at the Croke Park Conference Centre. The theme for this year's forum is “Social Innovation for Social Inclusion”. The forum is organised by the Department of Social Protection in conjunction with the Community Workers Co-operative and the European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland.

The forum will incorporate a consultation on updating the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion) for the extended period 2015 to 2017. In addition, there will be workshops on social housing, migrant integration, children's services – prevention and early intervention, and youth exclusion. The forum will also showcase projects involved with the UN Day for the Eradication of Poverty and other social inclusion initiatives.

Approximately 200 delegates are registered to attend from community and voluntary groups across the country, including people experiencing poverty and social exclusion. Officials from government departments and agencies will also be in attendance.

The Social Inclusion Monitor 2013 will be published to coincide with the forum. The purpose of the monitor is to report officially on progress towards the national social target for poverty reduction, including the sub-target on child poverty and Ireland's contribution to the Europe 2020 poverty target.

The forum is an important part of the Government structures to monitor and evaluate the implementation of NAPinclusion. It provides an opportunity for consultation and discussion on social inclusion policies and ensures that the community and voluntary sector has a voice in the development and implementation of policies that affect people in poverty.

A report on the proceedings at the forum will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in due course.