The review of the Combat Poverty Agency, which has been carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants and will be published shortly, will recommend that the agency should focus on a more strategic role for the future, particularly in relation to the development of the National Anti Poverty Strategy.
While the review is "overwhelmingly positive" about the workings of the agency, according to a spokesperson for the Department of Social Welfare, it suggests the strengthening of resources of the agency on labour market issues and the need to take more cognisance of the economic factors driving poverty.
Nine new members were yesterday appointed to the 14 member board of the agency by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa. They include Mr Hugh Frazer, director of the agency; Mr Pat Ridge, financial director with Green Isle Foods; and Ms Berni Brady, who works with Aontas and the National Adult Literacy Agency.