436 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will consider the preparation of statistics and indices which would allow his Department to target major resources at areas of deep deprivation in the most effective manner in regard to spatial aspects of poverty; and if he will make these statistics available to all the development agencies. [8216/02]

438 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs his plans for the spatial targeting of poverty; and the input his Department, the Combat Poverty Agency and other agencies will have into this. [8218/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 438 together.

Public policy has increasingly recognised that there are spatial concentrations of unemployment, poverty and exclusion where individuals, families and communities suffer a form of cumulative disadvantage. Such problems can best be addressed by targeted and integrated policy responses. This understanding has informed, Building an Inclusive Society, the review of the national anti-poverty strategy, NAPS, recently launched by the Taoiseach and myself.