Anti-poverty drive coordination
Miss Flaherty urges the Minister to continue cross-agency meetings and ensure public funds reach those most in need. The Minister says £2 million is available for the agency and that work will get underway this year; the remaining questions are deferred.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will continue the meetings initiated by the former Minister of State at his Department with semi-State bodies and other organisations to extend the anti-poverty drive beyond the confines of a single agency.
Comment on this
(Mayo West): This is a matter I will deal with as the situation demands and the Deputy can rest assured that I will do everything that I consider desirable and appropriate in this respect.
It is, I think, relevant to draw attention to the announcement made by the Taoiseach on 26 March that a comprehensive economic and social plan will be prepared in consultation with employers, trade unions, farmers and the National Economic and Social Council and with the assistance of economic and social research bodies.
Comment on this
Would the Minister give some indication as to the initiatives he considers desirable towards the elimination of poverty? Poverty is widespread and the need for action is immediate. Would he indicate why he is hesitant about continuing these meetings when the organisations involved — the IDA, BIM, the CII, RTE, the Department of Education, the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment — were enthusiastic and felt——
Comment on this
In the light of the fact that these organisations are aware of the benefits of these meetings and are willing to continue them, why is the Minister hesitant about giving his full commitment?
Comment on this
(Mayo West): The Deputy has asked a number of questions and I will reply briefly by saying that £2 million has been made available to finance the agency and everything possible will be done to get matters under way this year.
Comment on this
The Minister has referred to the sum of £2 million. Would he not agree that the amount of public money being spent by way of local grants through the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment is greatly in excess of £2 million? Would the Minister not agree that everything possible should be done to ensure that the money is spent where it is most needed? Would that not be the most economic use of national funds? Would the Minister not agree that in general this money is finding its way to the better-heeled sections?