Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ó Murchú for raising this matter and I also thank the Leader for allowing the debate. It is important that we give recognition to people who work in voluntary organisations. The great change that has occurred in recessionary times was the swing back to voluntary organisations. It is important as the economy picks up that we do not lose that and that we encourage people as much as possible to make a contribution, either financially or by giving their time. It is easy to give a financial contribution; it is more difficult to give up time, but it is important that we give time because it brings us all back down to ground level to see how the other half of society lives.An organisation which I assist a little in sourcing funds provides, through 65 volunteers, education services every day for over 45 young people who have dropped out of school. Some of the volunteers are retired teachers who want to give something back. Others are students who are studying for the higher diploma in social science and so on. They give freely of their time to assist the organisation in providing one-to-one education for these 45 young people who otherwise would be out on the streets. Some of them are as young as ten years old and have no real support at home. As I said, my involvement in the group is in the context of sourcing funding. It was set up by the Christian Brothers and, like a number of similar organisations, is now part of the system.

The current health budget is €13.2 billion, of which over €3.25 billion is paid to 2,600 organisations across a wide spectrum of services. All of these organisations, including hospitals such as the Mercy and South Infirmary hospitals in Cork, were set up many years ago on a voluntary basis and are now very much dependent on State funding. It is important that all voluntary organisations are given recognition. As I said, there are 2,600 organisations in operation, each of which was established many years ago on a voluntary basis and has since become part of the system. It is important that they are supported.

It is important in the context of our discussion of this issue that, as stated by Senator Michael Mullins, we ensure where there is duplication organisations are encouraged to work together. It is only by working together that we can bring about improvements in service provision. While organisations such as Simon and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have made a huge contribution during the years, particularly in the past six to seven years, it is important that the work being done on a voluntary basis by people involved in sports such as the GAA, soccer, rugby, camogie and basketball be not forgotten. During my time as Lord Mayor I visited one such club one Saturday when there were more than 40 volunteers caring for and training young people in their chosen sport. Another centre that I visited during my time as Lord Mayor which, again, was being supported by volunteers was providing meals for up to 75 people who had no family or other support. It is important that in the run-up to Christmas, particularly on Christmas day, that we all play our part and do not simply adopt the view that it is somebody else's problem. It is important we ensure everyone makes it through Christmas and that we remain mindful of the need for voluntary care after Christmas also.

There has been much talk about our economic recovery. It is important that we do not make the same mistakes made during the boom times and that we realise there are people who find it difficult to address the problems they are experiencing and need support in dealing with them. We should provide that support, where possible. We all have a part to play in that regard, even if only for two or three hours a week. We must all contribute at some stage every week.

I thank Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú for raising this matter. It is important that we have this discussion and that we look to the future in terms of how we will encourage more people to become involved in the voluntary sector, be it through sport, social activities or assisting people who are living on the streets. We need to plan for how we are going to encourage people, particularly young people, to become involved.