Sir, - The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, has instituted a review of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy (NAPS), in accordance with commitments given under the PPF.
Views have been sought from a broad range of people and groups on poverty issues under the themes of education, employment, accommodation, health, and urban and rural disadvantage.
Key principles of the NAPS are set out as follows:
"ensuring equal access and encouraging participation for all;
guaranteeing the rights of minorities, especially through anti-discrimination measures;
the reduction of inequalities and in particular, addressing the gender dimension of poverty;
the development of the partnership approach, building on national and local partnership processes;
actively involving the community and voluntary sector;
encouraging self-reliance through respecting individual dignity and promoting empowerment;
engaging in appropriate consultative processes, especially with users of services."
However, under Partnership 2000 and the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, the community and voluntary sector (now categorised as the fourth pillar) has not been given a full role at the negotiation table. The traditional power-bargainers have insisted that the fourth pillar leave the table at pay negotiation time. This is a major failure of the NAPS to date in our view.
We would welcome the Minister's views on this matter for the benefit of so many of our people who live on the margins of our society. - Yours, etc.,
Denis O'Brien, FCIPD, Society of St Vincent de Paul, Galway City Community Forum Steering Committee, Social Inclusion Subgroup, Dr Sean Stitt, Galway.