Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 35: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the area of volunteerism; his views on whether there has been an increase in volunteerism; and if he will allocate extra funding to this area. [8403/10]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government continues to advance a range of measures that support volunteering and active citizenship.

In line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Active Citizenship, this year my Department will provide funding of over €2.5m to 22 volunteer centres around the country. Two of these centres – in Clare and Longford - are being funded for the first time.

In 2009, the volunteer centres registered over 13,000 volunteers and over 870 volunteer-involving organisations. The figures represent an increase of over 70% on the numbers registered in 2008. It may also be noted that 61% of registered volunteers had never volunteered before and 69% were aged 35 years and under.

My Department also provides core funding for Volunteering Centres Ireland, which plays a central role in facilitating and supporting the development of the network of local volunteer centres.

In addition, other activities being supported in clued the following:

· Last year, a cross-border volunteering initiative involving three groups – the GAA, Voluntary Arts Ireland and the Church of Ireland - was launched. These organisations, which have a strong network of local volunteers across Ireland, are using this network for the benefit of the whole community, and especially marginalised and disadvantaged groups on both sides of the border.

· The Young Social Innovators Initiative involves transition year students identifying social needs and developing strategies to address them, requiring their engagement with local, community and statutory organisations. The key objective is to develop volunteering among young people and grow a cadre of volunteers for the future.

o Funding is provided for Focus Ireland to support the placement of social science graduates, within the organisation, who wish to gain experience and to develop skills in working with people who are marginalised.

o Support is also provided for Boardmatch, an organisation which aims to support the development of the voluntary and community sector in Ireland by strengthening boards of management and management committees of non-profit organisations.