The Government is planning action on poverty and social exclusion, with almost €50 billion in funding allocated under the new National Development Plan (NDP).
The €49.6 billion funding includes support for back-to-work schemes and back-to-education allowances, on which €1 billion is being spent. These programmes are aimed at those on social welfare and encourage them to return to training or employment.
According to the Minister for Social Affairs, Seamus Brennan, this is the first time that the NDP has included a dedicated chapter for social inclusion.
The €49.6 billion funding is in addition to the annual welfare spend, which currently totals €15 billion, Mr Brennan said.
Some €591 million is being spent on the back-to-work programme, which will include a Back-to-Work allowance scheme which provides for social welfare recipients to retain part of their benefits while taking up employment. A further €519 million is being allocated to the Back-to-Education Allowance, which encourages people to enter training to improve their employment chances.
The minister said the plan was to move 50,000 people over the lifetime of the NDP from social welfare and back into employment.
"This programme recognises that the development of human capital, through striving to ensure that the potential of no individual is neglected or overlooked, is as important for society as the building of physical infrastructure," Mr Brennan said.
There will also be investment in other chapters of the NDP to aid social inclusion, including: €19.3 billion for the provision of programmes and services people with disabilities; €12.3 billion for childcare services, child protection and recreational facilities for children; and €9.7 billion to help older people live independently while staying in their own homes.
Some €848 million will be allocated to the supporting the integration of immigrants, the National Action Plan Against Racism, and helping further the social and economic interests of the Travelling community. More than €5 billion is planned for investment in Working Age programmes, which will tackle early school leaving, support adult education and improve access to third level education.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Noel Ahern, today announced an €18 billion investment programme for housing in the coming seven years, with targets of 60,000 new social housing units put in place for the plan's lifetime.
"An estimated 140,000 new households will have their accommodation needs met over the coming seven years," said Mr Ahern. "To achieve this, ambitious targets of 60,000 new units of social housing have been set, and it is estimated that some 40,000 affordable homes will also be provided over the NDP period."
An additional €3 billion will be provided for rent allowance, bringing the total expenditure on housing to €21 billion.
