Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

In the interest of assisting Deputy Jim O'Keeffe, I am in a position to inform him that there are approximately 24,000 of the voluntary groups to which he refers. As far as I am concerned, these are the most important groups of their kind, particularly in the context of the way they deliver front line services. The relevant subhead also includes partnership and integrated companies and covers a range of areas and significant funding has already been allocated in respect of it. I have informed the organisations that reductions will have to be made in the areas of administration, overheads, the printing of glossy brochures, the holding of fancy launches, travel, etc. In addition, they will be obliged to consider salary comparisons across the sector. It is in these areas that savings can be achieved. From my contacts with the organisations in question, I am convinced that such savings will be made.

There are 22 volunteer centres throughout the country and these do extremely good work. I am anxious to continue to provide support to these centres. The Department also supports 64 of the larger national organisations and a new scheme relating to these will be advertised and rolled out in the coming year. Most of what is happening at present will continue to happen.

Members will be aware of what has taken place this year in the context of the integration of community development projects into the local companies. In most cases, work in this regard has proceeded in a reasonable manner. I am under no illusions but that there has been some pain involved at a local level. However, the vast majority of the community development projects are well on their way to being integrated. There may be a small number in respect of which additional time may be required for such integration.

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