Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the witnesses. It has been a fascinating and mind-expanding afternoon. We are aware of the centre in London but I had no idea about the level of service or how long it has been there. We appreciate the witnesses coming here to give us some more information. I am interested in the number of volunteers as well as expert staff. How many are there and how many are required? Is the centre able to maintain the numbers of volunteers? No matter what the type, when an organisation is trying to reach out into communities, it will always require volunteers. They play a vital role and there is more to it than just volunteerism. How is the issue managed?

The Government is having research done by UCD on the diaspora but has the centre played any role in it or does it see a role in that respect? I know the centre has extensive programmes promoting Irish arts and culture, providing many Irish music and language classes. Is it mostly Irish people participating in that or are people from other cultures interested? Is that encouraged? Will the witnesses expand on the missing persons service, which is an interesting initiative? I have not heard of any other group doing something like that.