Thread by @joefingalgreen

I’ll be giving the closing address to the #SIFF2021 shortly after a week of really great engagement and discussion on issues of poverty & social inclusion

I opened this forum on Monday by noting that we had come together to talk about our collective experiences of either working with people experiencing poverty and exclusion or to share personal experiences of living directly with poverty & exclusion.

#SIF2021

I stressed in my opening speech how much I value consultation. I firmly believe that there is no substitute for walking and talking with the people on the ground dealing with and living with the issues in a very real way day in and day out.

#SIF2021

At recent meeting of the Interdepartmental Steering Group on the Roadmap for Social Inclusion which I Chair I committed to establishing an inter-departmental working group on food to examine issue of food poverty from every angle to develop a coherent set of solutions.

#SIF2021

The need for a #JustTransition was raised during #SIF2021 Workshops and I wholeheartedly endorse this. Crucially the new Statement of Strategy from @welfare_ie has a very strong commitment to help ensure a Just Transition.

Digital & IT access, combined with digital literacy & skills arose an issue. They are becoming part ofmodern “core essentials.”  Work is underway on the development of 10 year literacy, numeracy & digital literacy strategy in @SimonHarrisTD Department. #SIF2021

Both @HHumphreysFG & I are committed to reaching target of 2% consistent poverty laid out in both Roadmap for Social Inclusion & Prog for Gov
We know it’s ambitious-in history of state it’s never gone below 4%. But we have a responsibility to be ambitious in this regard
#SIF2021

Reducing rate of consistent poverty is fundamental to decreasing inequality & enhancing inclusion. Child poverty is particularly problematic. Long term implications & costs of child poverty are huge. Unacceptablethat 8% of children in 2019 experienced consistent poverty. #SIF2021

This week I spoke at a launch on Travellers in Employment. 80% unemployment rate for Travellers is something that actions urgently. @HHumphreysFG & I agree upcoming Pathways to Work strategy will have specific measures to target marginalised groups including, Travellers. #SIF2021

#SICAP was referenced as a good model & I agree. The recent report into SICAP showed just how effective that on the ground work was in assisting members of new communities to engage with services and to integrate into Irish life. #SIF2021

I am very optimistic that our new policy on accommodating asylum seekers announced with the publication of the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision will have a very tangible and positive impacts on social inclusion #SIF2021

Income adequacy & minimum standard of living was a common theme of #SIF2021. As per Prog for Gov commitment, I welcome Low Pay Commission has been asked by @LeoVaradkar to examine how Ireland can move towards a living wage over the period of this Government & ...⤵️

It is important that at the same time as considering #LivingWage, that each year at budget time, we consider how to target welfare increases to ensure that those who are most vulnerable receive the supports they need.  #SIF2021

Participation & ongoing engagement & importance of involving children & young people in policy-making was raised. So it was somewhat timely that my colleague @rodericogorman on Wed launched the ‘National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making’.

Improving representation on the Public Participation Networks also came up. I can confirm that consultants have been selected to carry out a review of the operation of the PPN this year and that will be commencing soon. #SIF 2021

Key objectives of that review will be to identify opportunities for further strengthening and enhancing PPN structures; and make recommendations on how to build on existing structural strengths and support the future development of #PPNs #SIF2021

Coming out of the public health crisis of the last year I think its important to flag some quite relevant commitments from the Roadmap for Social Inclusion that were of course developed before the arrival of the pandemic. #SIF2021

There’s a commitment to develop a Health Inclusion Policy to address healthcare needs of socially excluded groups who experience greater levels of health inequalities. Also commitment to develop an implementation plan to tackle loneliness & isolation
#SIF2021

I hope to meet @DonnellyStephen in the coming weeks to discuss a Health Inclusion Policy and I will be pressing the added importance of these objectives with him.

 #SIF2021

I & my officials will continue to engage with C&V Sector to ensure principles of social inclusion imbued into work of gov so we do everything in our collective power to reduce social exclusion & try ensure nobody is left behind as we emerge into a post-pandemic Ireland #SIF2021