Government poverty drive commended

from the Irish Times

Ireland's efforts to tackle poverty have been given a guarded welcome in a major European survey to be published today.

A study by the Combat Poverty Agency of nine European countries shows Ireland is ahead of many of its counterparts in ensuring plans to tackle poverty and promote social inclusion are integrated into government policy.

The study took three years to compile and tested the opinion of policy-makers and administrators at central, regional and local levels of government, social partners and representatives of anti-poverty groups.

The Evaluation of Mainstreaming Social Inclusion in Europe study recorded positive results in Ireland but found concerns that government was not doing enough to ensure those experiencing poverty were involved in official efforts to devise solutions.

"Applying better practices of mainstreaming social inclusion objectives into all areas of policy making could make a significant difference to the lives of people living in poverty," said Helen Johnston, Director of the Combat Poverty Agency.

"While the Irish survey found that Ireland is good at providing information and knowledge on the causes and extent of poverty in Ireland, and also scored higher than the EU average in terms of consultation and participation, we must continue to live up to our commitment to involve people experiencing poverty in devising and supporting solutions."

Ireland scored 5.94 out of ten in terms of how well social inclusion is taken into consideration in public policy making, compared to a European average of 5.56.

The survey of Irish participants found 48 per cent considered reductions in poverty and social exclusion to be high on the Government's agenda, but the findings pointed to a need to refocus attention in areas like transport, health and education.

It found 37 per cent believed social inclusion gets a high prominence in employment policies, while one fifth said it was a high priority in economic development and 27 per cent felt social inclusion is incorporated into employment laws.