Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.

The steering group on active citizenship, chaired by Mary Davis and appointed in October 2008, has been overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on active citizenship, which completed its work in March 2007. The group is working in consultation with the relevant Departments and a progress report was completed in December 2008. Copies of the progress report are available in the Oireachtas Library.

The report outlines what had been achieved up to the end of last year and the status of those recommendations which will take more time to implement, subject to resources. In addition, it outlines many active citizenship initiatives being pursued by universities, businesses, volunteer organisations and others which underpin the task force's call to everyone, not just to the Government, to encourage greater connectivity with the community and maximise the potential we all have to generate positive engagement for the greater good. The Central Statistics Office reported in its recent publication on community involvement and social networking in Ireland that, based on 2006 data, 85% of people agreed that by working together, people in their neighbourhood can influence decisions which affect them.

The public policy recommendations that have already been progressed include the audit of community, sports and arts facilities, undertaken through the local authorities in 2008. Up to 27 of the community facilities audits have now been submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, with the remaining seven being finalised at present. The audit will inform the Government on the provision of facilities and identify opportunities for getting the best use of recreational facilities.

The Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs already supports the community and voluntary sectors through a range of funding measures. In supporting capacity development and training for groups in the sector, the Minister launched a new training grants scheme in 2008 for national and locally based organisations. The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs now supports a network of 21 volunteer centres which are linked by a common database and a common best practice approach. Through these local offices and websites, volunteer centres act as brokers between potential volunteers and organisations seeking volunteers.

Regarding the recommendation to establish an independent electoral commission, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government engaged consultants to conduct preliminary research on related issues and to recommend a way forward. The Minister published the report for consultation on 10 February 2009, with a closing date for submissions of 26 June 2009. The process being followed also includes consultation with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Concerning the task force's recommendations for strengthening local civic participation, its views were taken into account in drafting the Green Paper, Local Government, Stronger Local Democracy: Options for Change. The Green Paper discussed civic participation in local government decision-making and proposals for considering novel forms of engagement, such as local plebiscites, petition rights and town hall meetings, to address the democratic deficit identified by the task force. A public consultation process was conducted by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to inform the preparation of a White Paper, which is being finalised for publication following the Government's consideration.

Arising from consultations conducted by the task force on active citizenship in 2006, the task force report recommended the expansion of education for citizenship in the school and adult education systems. In response, the National Council for Curriculum Assessment is developing a syllabus for a new leaving certificate examination subject entitled politics and society, as an extension of the current civic, social and political education subject in junior cycle, which gives students practical experience of active citizenship. With regard to the adult education sector, the possibility of including more voter education into adult programmes in the vocational education committee sector is being further considered.

Several higher education institutions have developed civic engagement awards which recognise outstanding voluntary activities and achievements by students. The National University of Ireland, Galway, for example, is leading a national collaboration programme - Civic Engagement, Student Volunteering and Active Citizenship -to increase opportunities for students to engage with the community through their studies. Campus Engage was launched in 2008 to allow students to browse volunteer opportunities by region, institution and related academic disciplines.

The task force's report proposed a national presidential citizens award to recognise outstanding contribution by our citizens to the life of this country. The options for developing such an awards scheme are being examined in consultation with the relevant authorities, including the Office of the President.

The progress report not only outlined the public policy elements of the active citizenship initiative, but also highlighted the significant contribution to community life by the business sector. Examples of community-related activities include corporate giving, employer-supported volunteering and school-based initiatives among others, worthwhile partnerships that will help to sustain us through the challenging times ahead. At present, the steering group is focusing on plans for an active citizenship conference and active citizenship week during 2010, as well as examining ways in which awareness of active citizenship can be supported through the media, the business sector and professional bodies, as well as Government.

In view of the need to secure maximum value for scarce resources, I have decided that the work of the steering group will be supported from within my Department and that it is not necessary to maintain a separate office. The principal actions and policies to support active citizenship are, in any event, the responsibility of a range of Departments and bodies as they implement their respective core functions.

See this speech in context