Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

My involvement in the voluntary sector is based on my legal background and my chairmanship of a community association which employed more than 30 people under a community employment scheme, which worked effectively. Many of the people involved in that scheme had gotten into the rut of being unemployed and found participation in it extremely helpful in terms of assisting them to get back into the labour force.

I have two questions for the Minister. I am concerned, from a legal point of view, about the structure of voluntary organisations. There are no checks and balances in place in regard to the structure of many organisations, in particular organisations in which there is no change of personnel over a long period. There is a need for some accountability in this area. We need to put in place a template for organisations involved at community level. I do not believe this is currently being done. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government needs to address this issue. It is important people do not feel excluded in their communities. One group should not be allowed remain in charge for a long period to the exclusion of others. This issue needs to be addressed.

My second question relates to community employment schemes and whether it is proposed to grow them given the significant number of people looking for something to do. I agree with Senator Feargal Quinn in this matter. People want to get involved but there are not sufficient opportunities available to them. The community sector is one such opportunity. Is the Department considering an expansion and encouragement of that area in the next year?