Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for their presentations on a very important area. The foundation, both nationally and through its member organisations, does very important work on behalf of so many areas where there is disadvantage. Over the course of the pandemic, we have become more and more aware of the increasing incidence of domestic violence and so on. There are many areas that need interventions and support, but I am glad Ms Charlton outlined that the foundation supports efforts to counteract domestic and gender-based violence. That is very welcome. I presume that when the foundation runs programmes, it needs a multi-annual commitment from donors and sponsors. I imagine that is not easy to achieve. As we all know, sometimes running a programme on the basis of its getting annual funding does not lead to stability or continuity in planning and providing particular services. Does that pose a problem in many instances?

I was taken with the figure Ms Charlton mentioned with regard to New Zealand and the level of sponsorship in our country. Are there tax incentives in that country or is it that there is a good programme of awareness, created by the government or local authorities and statutory agencies, in regard to the need for businesses and people in a position to support good causes to make those contributions? I have always been of the opinion that, as a country, we are very generous in supporting good causes. As I know from my work as a member of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence over the years, at which we have had constant dialogue, communication and meetings with NGOs such as Trócaire, Concern and Oxfam, they always mention the very good response there is from this country, both at a State level and from individual citizens, in regard to disasters that occur throughout the world, not just at home, be it famine or otherwise, to help the most needy.

I presume that when Ms Charlton refers to philanthropy, she means being supportive of good causes. There is a great deal of general sponsorship, such as that of sporting organisations at local level or of various events. In every parish and village on this island, people generously sponsor good local causes, whether it is in terms of sport or some other endeavour. How much of that type of sponsorship philanthropy on this island is captured in the foundation's figures? Events are held to mark occasions or to help out where some family or individual comes on difficult times. We all know of very good work done at a local community or county level. Are those types of events captured in the foundation's figures Ms Charlton mentioned?

I could talk about the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Sadly, many Irish people have died abroad and the trust in question has been phenomenal in assisting families to bring back loved ones who have passed on. Subsequently, in the parish or area in question, there might be a fundraiser to support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust to ensure it will be adequately resourced to deal with the next tragedy that will, unfortunately, happen. That is not an isolated type of event; they are common and different causes merit fundraising at different times in local communities. How much of that type of good support and generous gift-giving is captured in the foundation's figures?