Press release
Minister Doherty addresses Social Inclusion Forum
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., welcomed the opportunity to speak at the Social Inclusion Forum 2018 today (Thursday, 10th May 2018) in the Aviva Stadium Conference Centre, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4.
The Social Inclusion Forum was established by Government as a part of monitoring progress on the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The Forum gives people who are directly affected by poverty and social exclusion and those who work with them a voice in the development of policy, and in the ways that the policies are implemented.
Minister Doherty said:
“I am very pleased to be here today and to have the opportunity to address this 14th gathering of the Social Inclusion Forum. As you may be aware this is my first opportunity to attend the Forum as Minister for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. However, the reputation of the Forum precedes it and I know how successful it is as a consultation model.”
Minister Doherty noted the theme of this year’s Forum is ‘Social Inclusion in a Changing Environment’.
She said:
“It is important that we reflect on where we are and where we want to go as a country as we set out to improve the quality of life for all people in Ireland.”
The Forum also provides space for delegates to discuss their views on the challenges Ireland faces, and the policy responses required. The Minister noted the social welfare increases in the last Budget and that the unemployment rate is below 6% for the first time in ten years.
Minister Doherty also said:
“I know that many of you here today will say that it’s not enough, that the Government can and should do more and do it faster. But I would argue that steady, incremental improvements that can be sustained over time are more effective than large increases that may have to be reduced in the event of adverse economic events.”
The report of today’s Forum - which will be presented formally to Government, and circulated to all Government Departments, to various stakeholders and to the public generally - is a major outcome of the process. It is designed to ensure that the insights, conclusions and recommendations of the Forum are fed into the policymaking process and are available to all stakeholders.
The Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection organised the Forum with the assistance of Community Work Ireland (CWI) and the European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland (EAPN Ireland).
ENDS
Note for Editors
Statistics on Poverty in Ireland
Progress made towards reaching the national social target for poverty reduction is reported annually in the Social Inclusion Monitor. The latest poverty data available shows improvements in living conditions, income inequality and poverty. The most recent edition of the Social Inclusion Monitor was published in 2017 and is based on 2015 EUSILC data.
Social Inclusion Forum
The annual Social Inclusion Forum was established by the Government as part of the structures to monitor and evaluate National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2017. The aim of the Forum is give people who are directly affected by poverty and social exclusion and those who work with them a voice in the development of the policies that directly affect them, and in the ways that policies are implemented. The main conference documents and speaker presentations will be available online after the event. It will be possible to download copies of the report and presentations from Social Inclusion Division and www.socialinclusion.ie.
National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007 – 2017
This 10-year plan of the Irish Government aimed at tackling poverty was recently updated for the period 2015 - 2017 to reflect current issues and interventions to tackle poverty.
Social Inclusion
Ensuring marginalised people and those living in poverty have greater participation in decision making which affects their lives.
The Forum is organised by the Social Inclusion Division of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection in partnership with the European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland and Community Work Ireland.
Social Inclusion Division
The role of the Social Inclusion Division is to support the Minister and Government in developing and implementing Government strategies for preventing, reducing and ultimately eliminating poverty and social exclusion. The Division also promotes greater social inclusion and social cohesion in collaboration with other stakeholders including, in particular, people experiencing poverty.
European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland (EAPN Ireland)
The European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland is a network of groups and individuals working against poverty. EAPN Ireland is the Irish link to the European Anti-Poverty Network which brings together civil society organisations from across the European Union to put the fight against poverty at the top of the EU, national and local agenda.
Community Work Ireland (CWI)
Established in 1981, Community Work Ireland (formerly the Community Workers’ Co-operative) is a national membership organisation that seeks to promote quality community work as a means of addressing poverty, social exclusion and inequality, and contributing to the creation of a more just, sustainable and equal society.