Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What we have in mind is to build on what is already in existence, such as Voluntary Service Overseas and Comhlámh, which are involved in volunteering initiatives to which anybody can apply and put forward their names, whether they are students, working people or otherwise. Non-governmental organisations also very often look for volunteers. In the context of the commitment in the programme for Government for a civilian corps, we are looking at how we might best harness retired civil servants in particular, as well as others from the private sector. This is in consideration of the approximate 30,000 people who have retired in the past two years, with a further 10,000 civil servants to follow under the terms of the troika programme. These include retired people who have considerable managerial and professional skills. We believe they offer a potential with which we should engage. We are talking about trainers of teachers and people in the health services. This is a new potential volunteering cohort that has not been available to come on scene before and we are very anxious to use it to the best possible ability.

That is the thrust of the new initiative but we are also looking for other people to become involved, for example, the diaspora population present in this country. There is no reason such persons should not return to their own countries given the experience they have had here, bringing it to bear on development in their countries.

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