Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans regarding the development and funding of the national community and voluntary sector; if such plans include alleviating poverty, social exclusion and inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39295/10]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Community; Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs if his Department has completed a review of organisations supported by the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39385/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 52 together.

The primary role of my Department in regard to the community and voluntary sector is to encourage and facilitate communities, with a special focus on areas of disadvantage, to pursue social and economic progress. This policy is underpinned by the Towards 2016 partnership agreement, which recognises the valuable role of the sector. To this end, my Department supports a range of initiatives that supports the work of the sector.

In particular, I draw the Deputy's attention to a number of schemes that provide such supports directly. Under the scheme for national organisations within the community and voluntary sector, core funding of €5 million was allocated to 64 organisations in 2010. My Department has completed a review of the operation and scope of this scheme and I will consider various options regarding its future in the coming weeks. Funding of €878,000 is also being provided in 2010 to support the sector in its work under social partnership.

Encouraging volunteering and supporting active citizenship is also a key part of the work of my Department in this context. To this end, my Department provides annual funding of €3.4 million to support the work of 22 volunteer centres operating at county level, as well other volunteering projects. Core funding is also provided to Volunteer Centres Ireland and Volunteering Ireland, both of which promote volunteering nationally. The role of the sector is also widely acknowledged in other areas in my Department, for example, in the ongoing implementation of the national drugs strategy and in the context of my Department's new local and community development programme, which aims to tackle poverty and social exclusion through partnership and constructive engagement between government and its agencies and people in disadvantaged communities. Overall funding of €67.5 million was allocated to this new programme for 2010.

In general terms, combating poverty and building an inclusive society remain key priorities for the Government. The national action plan for social inclusion, NAPinclusion, and the social inclusion commitments in the national development plan were drawn up in consultation with the social partners, and after a wide-ranging consultation process with other stakeholders, including the community and voluntary sector. Within this framework, the community and voluntary sector has key role in helping to build sustainable and vibrant communities in which families can thrive.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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The Minister, like every other Member, has had representations from various community and voluntary organisations regarding funding as we approach the budget. Following his meetings with them, is he satisfied he can address the concerns raised? In the community sector, there is an employment factor and each project employs a number of people in each area. There is grave concern that community and voluntary projects should continue. What does the Minister see as the overall scene in the sector? In a previous discussion of the issue, I pointed out that it is essential that we do not lose focus on the community and voluntary sectors to ensure the meitheal we talk about in here does not dwindle any further. Funding must be provided and effort and determination shown by the Minister and his Department to ensure the maximum funding in made available to allow for the funding of all groups in 2011.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I have indirectly or directly met the vast majority of groups that had been funded under the previous three year envelope scheme. We have examined the three year programme and it was a good programme that achieved many of its objectives. Things have changed economically and I envisage a broadly similar approach being taken in the next round.

Several organisations working in the same area have approached me to see if I could encourage their desire for greater cooperation. From that point of view, new thinking is emerging on how things might be done. Some of it is driven by the scarcity of resources, but not all. Many groups realise that the ground can be crowded with different groups trying to do the same thing. There are 24,000 voluntary groups in the country, the movement's great strength, but sometimes the weakness is that the efforts are diluted. I cannot do it this side of budget but as soon as I can, we will re-engage in a scheme along similar lines. I can give a commitment to promote the scheme for three years but will only be able to outline funding for the first year.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Everyone acknowledges cuts must be made in the budget but strong communities are at the heart of recovery from the recession and we must not dismantle the good work done in this area. Have the organisations been notified of their status for 2011? The Minister mentioned a figure of €3.4 million but the figure last year was €5 million. Is that a reduction of €1.6 million?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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No decision has been made about future funding yet and no organisation has been told what will be available. There will be some reduction but at a time of scarce resources, I am determined the limited resources we have will be directed at those most disadvantaged and marginalised. I am anxious that front line services are protected to the greatest possible extent.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I appreciate what the Minister said. I hope that after the budget we have a situation where the Minister will meet the national organisations at the earliest opportunity to debate the approach to the budget. We must have that conversation as soon as possible.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I hope to be able indicate the principles of the scheme to the sector in advance of the budget. We will have to advertise and it is possible the timeframe may be too short. Interim funding may be needed for a month or two in 2011 while the new scheme is being put together but I am minded at present to maintain the essentials of the scheme currently in place.

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I agree that we must work together to protect front line services. Next year has been designated the European year of volunteering. To mark the occasion, the European Commission has set aside a fund to support volunteer initiatives. Has the Government submitted any proposals to obtain funding in 2011 for voluntary initiatives?

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The funding is extremely modest, in the order of €50,000. Discussions are ongoing among the voluntary groups coordinating the year of volunteering on behalf of the Government but this is more directed to raising awareness of the need for volunteering and the opportunities in the sector.