Irish Regions Office Website

December 16, 2009

2010 European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion - in Ireland

The Office for Social Inclusion and EU International within the Department of Social and Family Affairs is the National Implementing Body for the EU Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. A National Programme to guide EY2010's implementation in this country has been prepared. This document is based on three cross cutting themes reflecting the priorities for social inclusion set down in the 2006-2008 National Strategy for Social Protection and Social Inclusion (NSSPSI) Report - child poverty; access to quality work and learning opportunities; and access to services for older people and people with disabilities. Additionally, specific themes to be focused on relate to marginalised groups and areas such as urban and rural disadvantage, migration and ethnic minorities, Travellers, and homelessness as well as to technical monitoring and evaluating processes (e.g. Poverty Impact Assessment, measuring poverty, Indicators, and data availability and research).

A series of roundtable/seminars and national conferences are to be held regionally over the year in relation to these themes in order to increase public awareness of the existence and effect of poverty and social exclusion, and to determine how it can be eliminated. Marginalised groups and disadvantaged communities are particularly encouraged to get involved in organising and participating in such events as (in a non-funded sense) are stakeholders including employer organisations, trade unions and sporting and cultural organisations.

The Year in Ireland will be formally launched on 5 February 2010 in Dublin Castle. The European Anti-Poverty Network are organising the 'Building Social Europe: from Crisis to Opportunity' international conference at Croke Park on 19 February. Designated ''Social Inclusion Weeks'' in May and October will see local authorities organising activities and events.

Ireland’s National Programme

EAPN conference

Posted by iroronan at December 16, 2009 07:47 PM