THE European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) is among a number of groups which have strongly criticised proposals from Minster for Social Protection Eamon O Cuív to implement a ‘social employment’ scheme which would commit up to 10,000 job seekers to 20 hours community work or face having their unemployment benefits cut.

More than 250 delegates from EU member states are meeting in Dublin today to address the subject of poverty across Europe.

IN recent months there has been considerable public debate on issues relating to Government expenditure cuts, our economic recovery and the need to protect Ireland’s most vulnerable groups.

ON Thursday representatives of states from around the world will gather to sign an agreement aimed at strengthening the protection of economic, social and cultural rights for individuals.

Subsuming the Combat Poverty Agency into a Government department would destroy the watchdog’s independence and ability to carry out vital work, it was warned today.

IN the run-up to the general election, the European Anti-Poverty Network helped organise meetings around the country where people experiencing poverty, and those who work with them, were able to put their concerns to candidates.

Political parties are being urged to prioritise the elimination of poverty in the next government.

Anti-poverty campaigners have slammed the Government's policies on tackling poverty as a "catalogue of missed targets and opportunities".

YOUR report headlined ‘Ireland warned property slump looming’ only tells part of the story (Irish Examiner, August 8).

The EU is obsessed with economic growth and increasing military might ahead of other issues like poverty and human rights, it was claimed today.

PRIME ministers and presidents will take a crucial decision about the future of the EU when they agree a strategy setting the agenda for economic development for the next five years at a two-day meeting ending today.

IRELAND’S commitment to the world’s poor has long been a source of national pride and international respect.

THE most depressing thing the annual UN human development report tells us is not that, yet again, Ireland is the second richest country in the EU and that it still has the highest poverty rate. We know this from other studies.

AS we welcome 10 more countries into the EU it is noteworthy that, as of May 1, Ireland no longer has the highest rate of poverty of 15 member states.

A delegation of 33 socialist and communist MEPs was due to tour Belfast today and discuss problems in the peace process with Sinn Féin.