John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

In his remarks to the House yesterday evening, Deputy Penrose underlined the Government's strong appreciation of the role of the community and voluntary sector in Irish society. As a practitioner who in 1990 set up one of Ireland's first community economic development companies and is still active in this area, I am very much aware of the critical role of the community and voluntary sector across all strata of society, and I speak based on my knowledge of this area.

As many Deputies are aware, 2011 has been designated the European year of volunteering, and it is appropriate that we pay tribute in this House to the countless active citizens within our communities. These volunteers give of their time freely, and it is important we acknowledge that. They provide care and support services across the community in large and well-established organisations as well as small, informal groupings in every village in the country. They measure their success not by making a profit but by making a difference.

The priority of the Government will be to continue to support valuable front-line services within our communities while reducing overheads and back-office administration costs and ensuring value for money. I draw attention to one scheme referred to on a number of occasions during yesterday's debate: the scheme to support national organisations in the community and voluntary sector, which is operated by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. This scheme has an annual budget of €4 million and provides multi-annual core costs to 64 national community and voluntary organisations, including many organisations involved in advocacy. In this year's round of funding under the scheme, there were 149 applications, of which 64 were successful. The successful applicants were approved following an open and merit-based competitive process, with a built-in right of appeal. I assure the House that all successful applicants were chosen strictly on their merits. The Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, rejects any suggestion that an organisation would not qualify for funding under the programme on any other basis.

The programme for Government commits to a review of services at local level in order to improve service delivery for the citizen. This involves sharing and devolving responsibilities down to a much lower level. This is not change for change's sake but is designed to improve the quality of service the public receives and to ensure funds are spent well in every area. Local development companies have been chosen by the Department as the main delivery agents for the local and community development programme, LCDP, for which the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has committed funding of €63.4 million this year. Representatives from a range of voluntary, statutory and community sectors, together with the social partners, constitute the board of directors of these companies, which will work collaboratively to effect change locally.

Despite suggestions to the contrary yesterday, there is no embargo on community employment schemes filling vacancies in the Dublin area or elsewhere in the country. The number of places available under the scheme was increased in 2010 and remains at that level for 2011. Local circumstances and, in particular, the need to maintain places designated for rehabilitated drug misusers under the national drugs strategy can lead to delays in recruitment to vacancies that arise during the usual course of operation of a scheme. Some 1,000 places are ring-fenced for recovering drug misusers for this purpose and there is no curtailment or reduction in these places.

The Government does not see philanthropy and fund-raising as a substitute for State funding rather as an untapped potential which can further support the not-for-profit sector. The Government fully subscribes to the importance of the implementation of the North-South consultative forum and all of the other provisions of the Good Friday Agreement. This is an issue which requires a firm commitment from the Northern Ireland Executive to proceed.

The Government affirms and supports the voluntary efforts of tens of thousands of people throughout the country. By allowing local communities a greater say in their future, we expect they will emerge from these difficulties more resilient than ever. From my own experience of having established one of Ireland's first community economic regeneration companies, in which I am still actively involved, it is about empowering people. As a former Chairman of the Committee of Public Accounts, I also know it is about getting value for money for the State in terms of the services we deliver.

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