Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the supports or initiatives which are to be introduced in 2009 to support the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2009, 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 being advanced this year is in relation to Charities legislation. The Charities Bill, which I anticipate will progress to its final Stage prior to enactment in Dáil Éireann in the current session, provides for a new Charities Regulatory Authority to be established, which will assume a broad 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 Bill has been re-shaped considerably in recent Stages to ensure that a proportionate regulatory burden will be placed on smaller charities, in recognition of the fact that the vast majority of charities operating in Ireland are small, and have limited resources. These changes have been welcomed across the sector.

The Deputy will also be aware 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 Social Inclusion 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, some 180 projects are being supported under the Community Development Programme. These projects play a significant role in building community infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of the voluntary groups within the communities.

The Deputy will also be aware of the extensive range of services now being provided by volunteer-led groups and organisations with the support of the Community Services Programme. At the end of 2008, over 420 groups and organisations were approved for funding, with nearly 360 of them operational. The remaining groups are due to get up and running during 2009. Based on information from the groups, my Department estimates that around 2,100 people are employed in delivering quality services across the country. This Programme plays an increasingly important role in delivering services — which would not otherwise be provided — by harnessing the capacity and resources of the voluntary sector and using these in partnership with the resources available from the State.

It is also worth noting that the Task Force on Active Citizenship recommended that a network of volunteer centres be funded across the country. The Department is now supporting twenty such centres which support, promote and co-ordinate voluntary activities around Ireland. For example, the 'Give it a Swirl Day' which recently took place in many locations helped to highlight local volunteering opportunities.

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