How does the OSI work?

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Making the NAP inclusion and its further development happen requires the direct involvement of a network of different entities within the Governmental and Oireachtas system. The institutional arrangements within which OSI operates are:

• Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion;
• Oireachtas Committees;
• Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion;
• The Towards 2016 Partnership Steering Group;
• National Economic and Social Development Office;
• National Development Plan (NDP) Monitoring Committee;
• Combat Poverty Agency;
• The Local Government Social Inclusion Steering Group;
• Social Inclusion Units;
• County/City Development Boards;
• The Social Inclusion Forum;
• Community and Voluntary Sector;
• Technical Advisory Group; and
• Social Protection Committee:

Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Drugs and Rural Development:

This Committee, chaired by the Taoiseach and composed of the relevant Ministers,

gives overall strategic direction to the development of policies to combat poverty

and social exclusion and ensures that their implementation is regularly monitored

and promoted at the highest level. It is supported in its work in this area by the

Senior Officials and Management Groups referred to infra.

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Oireachtas Committees:

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs may be called to present regular progress reports on

the implementation of the Plan to the Joint Oireachtas Committees on Social and Family Affairs,

and on European Affairs.

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Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion:

This Group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. It maintains a broad overview

of social inclusion issues and brings emerging topics to the attention of the Cabinet

Committee on Social Inclusion. It also deals with policy developments relating to meeting

the objectives of social inclusion strategies, and specifically with the special initiatives under

the partnership agreement, Sustaining Progress.

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The Towards 2016 Partnership Steering Group:
This Steering Group representing Government and each of the Social Partner Pillars has overall
responsibility for the management and review of progress on the implementation of the ten-year
framework agreement as it applies to the wider non-pay issues.

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National Economic and Social Development Office:
The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) comprises the National Economic
and Social Forum (NESF), the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and the National
Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP). NESDO facilitates and promotes complementary
programmes of research, analysis and discussion by its consituent bodies. NESC reports to
government on issues concerning efficient economical development and the achievement of social
justice. NESF advises government on policies to achieve greater equality and social inclusion and
convenes the Social Inclusion Forum.

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National Development Plan (NDP) Monitoring Committee:

The Department of Finance has overall responsibility for monitoring NDP programmes. The OSI supports the monitoring of the social inclusion elements of the Plan.

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Combat Poverty Agency:
The Combat Poverty Agency is a statutory body working for the prevention and elimination of poverty
and social exclusion through advice to Government, developing innovative anti-poverty measures,
examining the nature, causes and extent of poverty in Ireland and promoting a greater public
understanding of poverty and social exclusion.

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The Local Government Social Inclusion Steering Group:

This group, chaired by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, consists
of representatives from the Office for Social Inclusion, Combat Poverty Agency, Institute of Public
Administration and Local Government Management Services Board and the County/City Managers
Association and supports the development of a strong anti-poverty focus within local government
including through the Local Government Anti-Poverty Learning Network.

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Social Inclusion Units:

These are established in the key Government Departments and co-ordinate their Department’s

contribution to the process in liaison with the OSI.

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County/City Development Boards:
The County/City Development Board (CDB) structure co-ordinates integrated public service delivery,
(including social inclusion activities) at local level. The CDBs are led by the local authorities and
include the social partners, State Agencies, local, rural and community development organisations
and community and voluntary representatives. The Social Inclusion Measures Group (SIMs) support
this process, as do the Community Fora.

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The Social Inclusion Forum:
The Social Inclusion Forum is jointly organised by the NESF and OSI. It provides an opportunity to
members of the public and representatives of the community and voluntary sector to inform and be
informed about the NAPinclusion process.

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Community and Voluntary Sector:
The community and voluntary sector, consists of a broad range of organisations active in mutual
support and self help, local development, resource and service provision, representation coordination,
campaigning and advocacy.

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Technical Advisory Group: Working on the development of a Data Strategy to underpin the NAPS,

a Technical Advisory Group comprising representatives of key Government Departments, the

Central Statistics Office, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Economic and Social Research Institute

and the Equality Authority assists the OSI.

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Social Protection Committee:
The EU Social Protection Committee (SPC) facilitates exchanges between the European Commission
and the EU Member States in relation to social protection and social inclusion policy. The SPC
developed the ‘Open Method of Coordination’ within which Member States’ social protection and
inclusion plans are formulated and implemented. The Department of Social and Family Affairs is
represented on the SPC and the OSI is represented on the SPC Indicators Sub-Group which
formulates indicators for monitoring poverty and social exclusion. The EU PROGRESS Programme
provides funding for co-operative initiatives between Member States in relation to social inclusion policy.

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MEMBERSHIP OF CABINET COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL INCLUSION, DRUGS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Membership of the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Drugs and Rural Development: