Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the supports and policy initiatives given to the voluntary sector are sufficient to allow it to develop to its full capacity in view of the continued growth of that sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33553/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to the ongoing development of supports to strengthen and underpin the work of the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. Indeed, the growth of the sector in recent years has been accompanied by a significant expansion of supports by Government. My Department alone provides funding in excess of €400m annually to the groups and measures across the sector.

Policy initiatives are underpinned by the 'Towards 2016' Partnership Agreement, which recognises the valuable role of the community & voluntary sector. The agreement notes that the great strength of voluntary activity is that it emerges organically from communities and points out that while the Government should not seek to control and be involved in every aspect of voluntary activity, it does have a responsibility to provide an enabling framework to help the sector.

A key area of support is in relation to Charities legislation. The Charities Bill, which I anticipate will go to Report Stage in Dáil Éireann in the current session provides for a new Charities Regulatory Authority to be established, which will assume a broader regulatory role for charities operating in Ireland. This will secure improved accountability and protect against abuse of charitable status and fraud, thus enhancing public confidence in the charities sector.

The Deputy should also note that my Department provides funding to the community and voluntary sector for training in relation to capacity building in governance and compliance, strategic development, and service to communities. The Local Development Programme also provides training and education grants for community development capacity building, IT training, or any other training priorities identified by local voluntary groups.

In addition, the Community Development Programme provides community premises, development workers and a capacity building project to disadvantaged communities in over 150 locations throughout the country. They play a significant role in building community infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the voluntary groups within the communities.

The Task Force on Active Citizenship recommended that my Department fund a network of volunteer centres across the country. The Department is now supporting twenty such centres, and they support, promote and coordinate voluntary activities around Ireland, for example the 'Give it a Swirl Day' which recently took place in many locations to highlight local volunteering opportunities.

Further details in relation to schemes and programmes operated by my Department that support the wider community & voluntary sector are available on my Department's website — www.pobail.ie.