Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his plans for the National Day of Volunteering 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22549/09]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department funds a network of 21 volunteer centres across the country, in Donegal, Galway, Sligo, Limerick City, Kerry, Wicklow, Kildare, Carlow, Dublin City South, Tallaght, Cork, Westmeath, Drogheda, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Dublin City North, west Limerick, south Tipperary, Monaghan, Meath and Mayo. These centres provide a valuable service in promoting and co-ordinating voluntary activities throughout Ireland.

The "Give it a Swirl" day is an initiative promoted by Volunteer Centres Ireland through the network of volunteer centres, as part of the National Day of Volunteering. It is an excellent example of an innovative approach to encouraging people of all ages and from all walks of life - individuals, families, community groups and businesses - to become involved in a hands-on volunteer project in their local community. The events countrywide include activities such as community clean-ups, tree planting, decorating homes for the elderly and painting murals. Further details on events planned for the Deputy's constituency would be available from his local volunteer centre. Finally, I should mention that the Steering Group on Active Citizenship established by the Taoiseach is considering options for national initiatives and events in support of volunteering.