Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 36: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on the recent work of the task force on active citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4600/10]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 50: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent work of the task force on active citizenship. [6734/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 50 together.

Responsibility for progressing the active citizenship agenda was transferred from the Department of the Taoiseach to my Department in May 2010. My Department will be supported in its role by the Steering Group on Active Citizenship, chaired by Ms Mary Davis, which is working to develop community engagement and encourage greater levels of civic-minded activities by citizens who are committed to making a positive difference within their communities.

Overall, I welcome the integration of this work into my Department, which will complement our ongoing efforts to encourage voluntary activity and community development. I met with Ms Davis last week to discuss how we can quickly progress the agenda, and I am looking forward to a productive engagement with the Steering Group into the future.

I understand that the Steering Group - in consultation with a range of Government Departments - has progressed a number of public policy recommendations of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship. These include the following:

· An audit of community, sports and arts facilities, which was initiated through the local authorities in 2008. Thirty-two of the thirty-four local authorities have completed their audits, with the remaining two in progress. This work will help to inform Government on the provision of facilities and identify opportunities for getting the best use of recreational facilities around the country.

· In relation to the Taskforce's recommendations for strengthening local civic participation, the views of the Taskforce were taken into account in drafting the Green Paper on Local Government, Stronger Local Democracy: Options for Change. Work on the White Paper on Local Government Reform is at an advanced stage, with publication by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government expected following consideration of local government financing in light of the Report of the Commission on Taxation.

· The Department of Education and Skills has encouraged schools to make their premises available for the use of community and other groups. The pilot programme to expand the use of school facilities is operated from a fund administered by the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. In addition, in May 2008, the then Minister for Education announced details of a scheme under the Dormant Accounts Fund to enable DEIS schools in Limerick city to open after school hours, including weekends and holiday periods, provide after school programmes and to maximise community use of school premises and facilities.

· At second level senior cycle, the National Council for Curriculum Assessment has developed a syllabus for a full optional exam subject called 'Politics and Society' as an extension of the current Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) subject in Junior Cycle, which currently gives students practical experience of active citizenship. In relation to the adult education sector, the range of Further and Adult Education Programmes are geared towards enabling participants to contribute more fully to the social, cultural and economic life of this country, through education and information courses.

· Active Citizenship will be the main theme of the planned Social Inclusion Week to be held in October next as part of the Irish National Programme of activities supporting the EU Year for Combatting Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010. The Steering Group has been liaising with my Department to advise on active citizenship awareness and practical activities which could be undertaken by communities, working with the local authorities around the country during that week.

· An Independent Electoral Commission is to be established and, in line with the revised Programme for Government 2009, is to be mandated with a number of responsibilities including administering the voter registration process, running voter education programmes and advising on mechanisms to increase the participation of women in political life. It is intended that the new Commission will also take over the functions of the Standards in Public Office Commission relating to election spending, and examine the issue of financing the political system.