Fears raised over poverty watchdog's independence

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.

The future of the state-funded body hangs in the balance as Social Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin decides whether to incorporate it into her department.

A number of leading charities and community groups said such a move would wipe out the agency’s role in providing independent and crucial research needed to eliminate poverty.

These include Barnardo’s, European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN), Cork Simon, Galway Simon, Mental Health Ireland and Respond! Housing Association.

Norah Gibbons, Barnardo’s Director of Advocacy said Combat Poverty’s work on researching and highlighting child poverty contributed significantly to the work of the children’s charity.

“Combat Poverty Agency has consistently provided objective recommendations on solutions which work towards eradicating poverty,” Ms Gibbon said.

“One in nine children continue to live in consistent poverty, a statistic likely to increase in the current economic climate.

“It is vital that Combat Poverty is able to continue to look critically at issues relating to poverty in an independent and objective manner.”

Anna Visser, Director of EAPN Ireland said it would be the country’s most at risk citizens who will be affected by any changes to the role of the agency.

“Ireland has been recognised in Europe as an example of how to establish an infrastructure to support the fight against poverty,” Ms Visser said.

“This is a time when we need new energy and focus and this will not be achieved by burying the CPA within the civil service.

“In an economic downturn, it is people experiencing poverty who are most affected, it will be the vulnerable members of Irish society who will suffer by any move to weaken the functions and independence of the CPA.”

It is understood a review of the agency, which began last year, has recommended a merger with the office for social inclusion, which is based in the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

Agency chiefs have said they would fight any move to merge Combat Poverty with the Office for Social Inclusion.

Fr Pat Cogan, Chief Executive Officer of Respond! Housing Association, said the agency had played a vital role in highlighting poverty levels in Ireland.

“More than 300,000 of our citizens live in consistent poverty, with 700,000 at risk of poverty,” he said.

“We are aware of this thanks to Combat Poverty. It is the responsibility of all of us, especially our elected representatives, to help the most vulnerable members of our society.”

The charities said Combat Poverty’s advice had played a major role in the setting-up of Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS); the development of the first National Anti-Poverty Strategy; the development of the Local Government Programme and various Community Development Programmes nationwide.