A SENIOR civil servant was severely criticised at an Oireachtas committee hearing in Leinster House yesterday over his perceived role in the dissolution of the Combat Poverty Agency.
Noting that the Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs had made known its unanimous opposition to the decision, Labour TD Róisín Shortall told Gerry Mangan, director of the Office for Social Inclusion, it was “quite insulting for you to come along today to hear our views and say you will take them into account’’ as it was “quite clear we have been completely ignored”.
She added: “You have a bit of a cheek to come along this morning and say you are interested in what we have to say . . . You played an active part in the sham review [of the Combat Poverty Agency] its gagging and incorporation into your own office. You were not just doing the bidding of the Minister. You were very actively involved . . . you participated in that sham.’’
In his presentation, Mr Mangan said the integration of the Combat Poverty Agency and the Office for Social Inclusion would result “in more streamlined and cohesive support for the strategic process for social inclusion.’’
Details were being worked on as was a three-year strategic plan, he said. “A priority role of the new division would be to raise awareness of the incidence of poverty, its causes and nature,’’ he said, and it would also provide evidence-based advice to the Minister.
Deputy Olwyn Enright (FG) said the committee had received no response when it conveyed its unanimous decision opposing the dissolution of Combat Poverty. “It has left us wondering what we are doing here,’’ she said. The most important element of Combat Poverty had been its independence, “anyone could go and get a fair, reasoned assessment of what was going on. Where is the independence of such advice now?’’
Fine Gael TD Seymour Crawford said a benefit of Combat Poverty was the independent advice for “a committee such as ours. We cannot afford to do such research and are anxious that it won’t be available to us in the future. You are part of the system. It is not possible for you to give impartial advice.’’
Senator Nicky McFadden (FG) said it was a matter of “absolute disquiet” that “Combat Poverty has been absorbed into your organisation.” She said Mr Mangan in his presentation used “flowery language and was aspirational, with nothing in it. It upset me’’.
Committee deputy chairman Fianna Fáil TD Charlie O’Connor said he appreciated the research he received from Combat Poverty. Accused by Róisín Shortall of being party to its dissolution, he responded “I’m not going to be lectured by a makey-up socialist.’’
Deputy Cyprian Brady (FF) expressed concern about “over-analysis and over-reaching’’ of the poverty issue. “I would caution against the diverting of resources away from the action,’’ he said.
Deputy Thomas Byrne (FF) accused committee members of being obsessed with the Combat Poverty issue. He said Ms Shortall had shown “serious disrespect’’ to Mr Mangan.
