Mr. Michael Foley:

We, too, have a Powerpoint presentation with a number of slides giving pictorial and graphic representation to much of what Mr. Leyden stated, which will be published on our website. Before we speak about volunteering, we take the opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous initiative by Clare County Council. Its new CEO introduced a rural development directorate as part of the senior management team, which is having a significant impact from which we benefit.

I will continue on the theme Ms McHugh addressed, namely, burnout. I emphasise the importance of building volunteering capacity in our communities and relating this capacity to community enhancements through the drawdown of funding. There is an absolute need to attract volunteers within our communities who have the necessary vision, skill sets and experience to grow our communities sustainably. This will require the individuals to engage with support structures that are more co-ordinated to ensure volunteer enthusiasm and retention, and a more innovative approach to administrating the various funding streams, reducing workloads and time, and, where possible, adopting a medium-term timeline, with phased grant commitments for larger-scale projects.

The model of the funding drawdown process in the towns and villages renewal and outdoor recreation schemes is one that should be replicated elsewhere as it greatly reduces the voluntary administration input, aside from the initial project planning and funding application. We encourage a bold initiative in respect of a limited number of pilot sustainable projects, where agencies would combine in a focused and meaningful way to deliver specific projects in partnership with the communities involved. There may be national development plans, rural development strategies, enlightened local authorities and agencies, funding streams, and effective LEADER grant programmes and benefits, but unless there are capacities within volunteering community development organisations that can build and grow communities from within, perhaps in a smarter way than currently happens, we will always be restricted in our capability and what we can do.

I thank the Chairman and members for giving us the opportunity to attend and present at the meeting. We are happy to take any questions they may have.