Minister opens Combat Poverty event

Minister for Lifelong Learning Seán Haughey today outlined the Government’s strategy in fighting social and educational disadvantage.

Speaking at the opening of Combat Poverty's national conference Overcoming Barriers to Educational Disadvantage, he said the Government's commitment to addressing social exclusion and educational disadvantage is evident in the social partnership agreement, the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion, and the National Development Plan.

Minister for Lifelong Learning Sean Haughey

" Towards 2016and the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion adopt a life-cycle approach in addressing these issues. Working with the social partners the Government has set a number of long-term goals which aim to significantly improve the educational opportunities and outcomes for Irish children over the coming years."

Outlining a number of key developments aimed at education disadvantage, Mr Haughey said measures such as the National Educational Welfare Board, the National Qualifications framework, and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme are aimed at achieving greater levels of inclusiveness and providing for the diversity of pupils in second level schools.

This year, the Government has committed some €800 million on measures to tackle educational disadvantage representing an increase in the order of €70 million on the 2007 figure, Mr Haughey added.

The Minister continued: “For over 20 years, Combat Poverty has worked to raise public awareness of poverty in Ireland and has carried out a key role in advising the Government on policies aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable in Irish society.”

The conference in Croke Park will include presentations from national and international experts including a keynote address by Prof Hugh Mehan of the University of California's sociology department.