Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

There is little in this Sinn Féin motion with which no reasonable person or politician could disagree. The community and voluntary sector is this country's most invaluable asset. I recollect the previous Administration attempted to audit the value to the State of the work done by this sector but had to abandon the task because it was so huge.

Unfortunately, the motion has to be amended because it contains several paragraphs that are too political. It also does not take into account the State's difficult financial position, created by Fianna Fáil, Members of which are not present in the Chamber this evening.

I agree with the motion's aspiration that voluntary and community services need to be delivered as close as possible to the end-user. The Government will examine the degree to which local authorities engaging on the ground with local communities have at their disposal the ability and the funding to assist this sector. I welcome the Government's commitment to looking after the voluntary sporting sector.

I reject the claim of disproportionate cuts to the community and voluntary sector. In fact, the reverse is the case. This sector is obviously delivering services which the Government is unable to deliver, as happens in other European countries. However, we need to promote this sector because Ireland is just at the European average for numbers involved in volunteerism.

The suggestion of using dormant accounts funds and proceeds seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, to promote prevention and treatment programmes in drug problem areas is very worthwhile. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien is aware of the benefits of such a suggestion in Cork's north side, having been involved with such community groups there. They provide value for money for the State through the work they can do in local communities. It is the perfect match that moneys derived from crime are channelled back to the groups trying to undo crime's negative effects.

Apart from several political paragraphs, the Sinn Féin motion echoes the Government's policy in the voluntary and community sector. In the main, the sector will find the Government will listen to it with a favourable ear.

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