Ms Denise Charlton:

I will answer some of the questions before handing over to Ms Haworth. On philanthropy in Ireland and how we fare internationally, the Deputy is quite right in saying that philanthropy is very underdeveloped in Ireland. I will speak to the reasons for that and what we could do to promote it more actively and appropriately. There is no doubt that in other countries, it is seen as part of the solution and the recovery. Governments strongly promote philanthropy and work with private donors to examine common areas of interest that can be progressed. That is what makes such a difference in Ireland. It is fantastic that consideration is being given to developing a national policy on philanthropy. We would really like that to be progressed as a matter of urgency, but we would also like there to be some teeth behind it to show that the Government sees philanthropy as part of the solution.

We at the Community Foundation for Ireland see the difference philanthropy can make. It adds value. Often, it can be there when a project is at pilot stage or needs to be scaled up, when certain evidence or research has not been available or when a collaborative approach might encourage a system change. It can be capital, and many buildings in Ireland have had philanthropic investment. There are many ways philanthropy can help.

As we said earlier, the public purse will be under great pressure. We believe that if the Government can see its way to developing and promoting the national policy and showing where philanthropy has had an impact, many more givers will come to the table. There are many people in Ireland who can give in many different ways, whether through legacy or a fund. At the Community Foundation for Ireland, we have 100 funds, although we could have 200 or 300. We would like the Government to promote the environment for philanthropy, showcasing and highlighting its impact and encouraging others to come to the table.

The Deputy is absolutely correct about multi-annual funding. When we talk to the groups on the ground we are working with, trying consistently to raise funding is problematic. As a foundation and with our donors, we encourage the examination of how multi-annual funding can be facilitated. In our 21 years in operation, we have had partners for that period. We work with partners and communities over the long term and that is important to us. It depends on the donor's intention and we try to work with them in that regard. They ask us where the greatest need is and how best to facilitate solutions to that need.

The Deputy referred to some of the crises that are happening nationally and internationally. When Covid-19 hit, we set up a fund and our existing donors and new donors immediately came to the table and put money in. They did so in a variety of ways. Some gave us unrestricted donations and allowed the Community Foundation for Ireland, because we are connected to the organisation, to decide where the greatest need lay. We are delighted with that. Others told us they had been working with particular organisations for many years and wished to ensure that those organisations could pivot and adapt to the crisis and continue to work with their beneficiaries. Donors work with us in a variety of ways but we absolutely acknowledge that, as the Deputy stated, there is a significant need for multi-annual funding in order to support organisations to do the very important work they do.

As members are aware, the voluntary and community sector is approximately the same size as the agriculture sector. It is vast and the work it does throughout the country is incredible. We saw its amazing work continuing in very difficult times. The figure of €75 million to which reference was made is the money that we and our donors have been able to invest in communities across Ireland. That is our figure. We hope to reach €100 million next year. I ask Ms Haworth to comment.