Seanad debates

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

Volunteering in Irish Society: Statements

 

1:00 pm

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Labour)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss this subject and I welcome the Minister of State to the House. As the Labour Party's Seanad spokesperson on community affairs, I am aware of the real and positive benefits of volunteerism to the community. I have also done some voluntary work at home and overseas, which has given me a perspective on the benefits of volunteerism.

Our country traditionally has been seen as one that produces volunteers for organisations at home and abroad. In recent years, however, questions have been asked as to whether we are maintaining the same levels of volunteerism. For this reason among others, the Task Force on Active Citizenship was established in early 2007.

A study shows that the Irish rate of volunteerism is, more or less, at the European average. Approximately 30% of people volunteer regularly. While one in three Irish people volunteer, two in three Americans volunteer regularly. There is room for improvement. Using the results of the last census to determine who volunteers, why, and from where they come, there are interesting disparities across groups. While 25% of people between the ages of 45 and 54 years volunteer, the figure drops to one in nine among those aged 15-24 years of age. Regarding socio-economic groups, one in every five employers and managers volunteers, but only one in every ten unskilled workers volunteers.

It appears there are two pools of people in which the level of volunteerism could be improved, namely, younger people and the less skilled. We must ask why this is the case. Do they believe they do not have sufficient skills, is it an issue of confidence, do they lack the time or is there another reason? We must consider the reasons and try to work on them.

The benefits of involving young people are immense. Recently, I read a study showing that volunteering makes young people more tolerant, matures them more quickly and gives them a clear sense of what type of career path they should follow. These are benefits not only for young people, but for society as a whole. Given that involving them and those from less advantaged communities is difficult, we must focus on how to improve the rates.

We must determine how people start volunteering. An interesting statistic shows that 60% of current volunteers were originally asked whether they would mind helping. Only one in three volunteers starts by offering his or her services. If we are asking people, perhaps we should ask more. Two thirds of people who do not volunteer stated that they would be willing to do so. The Government could start a media awareness programme to encourage more people to become involved in their communities and to volunteer among local groups. The programme could be aimed at people from less advantaged communities and young people to try to increase the relevant rates.

I recognise that there are limits on the number of volunteers. Recently, I carried out a survey in the commuter belt to determine how people were doing, what quality of life they had and so on. I will make a copy available to the Minister of State. When asked whether people were involved in their local communities, 50% replied that they did not have the time. They spend so long travelling to and from work that, when they get home, they spend the rest of their time with their families. The Government could consider the issue of transport links between the capital and peri-urban communities and the question of encouraging more jobs investment in communities surrounding the capital, such as in counties Louth, Meath, Kildare and Wicklow, to ensure that people could have more time to spend at home and making an input in their communities' lives.

The Government may be able to help in respect of other issues relating to voluntary work. We need people to become involved in running communities and estates in our towns and villages because they ensure that works, such as grass-cutting, fun days and so on, are undertaken. However, people are frightened about getting involved in their estates because of concerns about their liabilities for insurance costs or if the management companies running the estates go bust. The Government should examine these issues.

To illustrate the insurance matter, I will give a specific example of an area in County Meath. The residents of Broomfield and Starinagh, forming a small community group in a rural area, got together to set up a community council. Working together and through their dedication, they have been able to access funds from a variety of sources and build a community centre. Those communities and others in County Meath and elsewhere are concerned about the level of insurance they must pay if they arrange a fun day or a summer fair. Will the Government consider an all-encompassing insurance policy to cover the whole of the country in order that any local group that sets up in its estate need not worry about getting insurance or being sued if someone breaks an arm?

Turning to the subject of volunteering overseas, Ireland has historically been great at sending people to the new world. Other countries have sent some of us as well, but we will not go into that. It is a fantastic experience for our volunteers and gives them a significant sense of achievement. One can see the results of one's efforts on the ground and one knows that good is being done. It also provides an opportunity to meet new people and to experience different cultures. Three out of every five young people would be very happy to get involved in a voluntary organisation in the Third World. Senator Norris referred to the opportunity I had to volunteer on the 50th anniversary of the VSO, along with seven other parliamentarians from Leinster House, to improve the knowledge of parliamentarians in volunteering. Deputy Varadkar and I spent three weeks in Mongolia learning about Mongolia, taking part in local activities and trying to help in reforming, in my case, the health service.

I naively expected all the participants to be young people like me but there was a range of people there. The VSO accepts people up to the age of 75 and some Members of this House may wish to volunteer. The voluntary organisations benefit greatly from having experienced, well-skilled people assisting them. It is also of great benefit to the individuals.

I refer to one area in which the Minister of State could assist. Organisations such as the VSO get much goodwill from people in the real world who give up their time but they need money from the Government. I recognise that we support such organisations through seed funding but we must ensure that funding is not cut and, where possible, improved so that it can give the experience to even more people.

The spirit of volunteering is alive and doing very well in Ireland. I welcome the statement of the Minister of State. I do not criticise but seek to make suggestions. We could examine the issue of insurance and ensure we support organisations such as the VSO. We could also make it easier for people to get involved in volunteering through a media awareness campaign.

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