Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I would encourage community response forums to reach out to every available community and voluntary group. On the other side, I would encourage community and voluntary groups to contact the forums. It is important that everyone who can do something is in the room, there is co-ordination and we are making the most of resources. At particular pinch points where there is exceptional pressure, we have added resources to the community services programme: Lisdoonvarna; the volunteer centres in south Dublin to help in Citywest; and Wexford.

I will take this opportunity to send the message out to the public at large that, if people want to help, they should contact their local volunteer centres. We now have strong volunteering infrastructure in Ireland. We have a local volunteer centre in every local authority area. These centres support people and organisations in facilitating volunteers. I encourage people to take this opportunity if they wish.

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