Tramore Local Area Plan - Waterford County Council

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Plan1.6.5. National Anti-Poverty StrategyThe issue of tackling poverty and social exclusion has now become one of themajor challenges facing Irish Society. The Government's Anti-Poverty Strategydefines poverty in the following terms:-“People are living in poverty, if their income and resources (material, culturaland social) are so inadequate as to preclude them from having a standard ofliving which is regarded as acceptable by Irish society generally”The adopted principles underlying the Government's National Anti-PovertyStrategy include:-• ensuring equal access and encouraging participation for all;• guaranteeing the rights of minorities; and• actively involving the community and voluntary sector, promotingempowerment (especially of marginalized groups) and social inclusionthrough participation, and encouraging appropriate consultative processes,especially with users of services.1.6.6 The National Biodiversity PlanIn 1996, Ireland ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), aconvention agreed at the Rio summit in 1992 to protect the earth's rapidlydwindling biological diversity. As such, Ireland has undertaken to promote theconservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The National Biodiversity Planoutlines a series of measures that will enhance biodiversity. It considers theintegration of the conservation of biodiversity into all relevant sectors. The plancovers the 3 levels of biodiversity, which are ecosystem diversity, speciesdiversity and genetic diversity. The National Biodiversity Plan has beendeveloped to coincide with the National Heritage Plan, which sets out theframework for the protection and enhancement of all aspects of Ireland’sheritage, which includes our natural heritage. However, the NationalBiodiversity Plan focuses solely on biological diversity.1.6.7 The Heritage Plan for County WaterfordThe Heritage Plan for County Waterford was adopted by Waterford CountyCouncil on 13 th February 2006. This plan is a summary of the responses of thelocal authorities, community groups and individuals and of funding bodies suchas the Heritage Council, to our need to look after our heritage. The aims of theplan are to:-• Collect and disseminate information on the heritage of County Waterfordand make it available;• Raise the level of awareness of heritage in County Waterford;• Promote cooperation between various groups and individuals interested inheritage; and• Promote best practice with regard to our heritage.The Heritage Plan is an integrated five-year work plan (2006-2011) comprisingactions, which will maintain, improve and promote heritage in County9