Poverty agency has ‘regrets’ on integration

THE Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) has unveiled its final annual report before it is subsumed into a government department, with its chairman admitting there was “uncertainty” over the move.

It was announced at last October’s budget that the CPA would be integrated alongside the Office for Social Inclusion into a new division in the Department of Social and Family Affairs, ending 23 years as in independent statutory body.

Launching its last annual report yesterday, CPA chairman Brian Duncan said: “It is still my view that I have some regrets. There are some downsides to what is happening.”