Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for encouraging non-Irish volunteers within communities here in view of the importance such volunteers can play in the integration of such communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24949/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has been steadily increasing support and funding to strengthen volunteering in Ireland over the past few years. Funding of the order of €6m is available this year to support volunteering programmes, which include the funding of 20 Volunteer Centres, including Volunteering Ireland, around the country.

These Volunteer Centres encourage volunteering amongst all nationalities within communities in Ireland. They endeavour to match volunteers with the skills requirements sought by local community and voluntary organisations and build volunteer management capacity within these organisations. In recognition of the difficulties certain sectors of society can face in accessing volunteering opportunities, these centres also work to promote inclusive volunteering, challenging stereotypical perceptions of who can volunteer. The Report of the Task Force on Active Citizenship of March 2007 makes a number of cross-cutting recommendations to engage and welcome newcomers within their local communities. My Department will continue to engage with other relevant Departments, to progress recommendations of the Task Force.