Report on Consultation for National Action Plan against Poverty and Social Exclusion

FOREWORD

Those experiencing poverty and social exclusion and those working with them have a key role in developing the policies and programmes designed to meet their needs. They can tell us first hand from the realities of their daily lives how effective our policies are, what can be done to make them more effective, what further provision is necessary and what the priorities should be. 

We obtained much of this feedback from the social partners and the community and voluntary sector through their involvement in the consultations and negotiations on the revision of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy, Building an Inclusive Society and on the social partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress. At the first Social Inclusion Forum in January 2003, the proceedings of which have been published, there were also wide ranging exchanges on these issues.  

A wider consultation process took place in April and May (2003) involving a series of national and regional seminars, and an invitation in the National newspapers for submissions. There was a wideranging response across the board to the process.  

I am pleased to introduce this volume, which contains excellent summaries of both the submissions and the seminar proceedings prepared by independent consultants.

I am heartened that the broad approach being taken in the plan is in line with that sought by the participants in the process. There are also new challenges identified, many suggestions and proposals for further development of policy and priorities for action. I am pleased that these are all now on record.  

I would like to sincerely thank all those who gave of their time, experience and expertise to contribute to the process and to those throughout the country who contributed so much so willingly to administering the events.  

I wish to thank the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion (OSI) who worked closely together in organising the seminars, and to the OSI who organised the submissions. I wish to pay tribute to Mel Cousins and Maria Hegarty who have done a superb job in summarising the voluminous, varied and rich material that emerged from the process.  

I know that the work and commitment by so many, which this publication represents, will make a major contribution to our common goal of building a fair and inclusive society for all.  

Mary Coughlan T.D.,
Minister for Social and Family Affairs  

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