Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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571. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department has developed a national volunteering strategy; when this strategy will be implemented; the content of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4585/15]

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware my Department supports the community and voluntary sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society. There is a particular focus on supporting communities that are vulnerable, disadvantaged or under threat through a suite of schemes.

In relation to the specific issue concerned, my Department’s policy and strategy is to promote active citizenship and volunteering. In this regard my Department funds a network of twenty one Volunteer Centres, which support volunteering and provide advice to potential volunteers and also to organisations seeking volunteers. They also work with organisations to develop their volunteer management capacity and facilitate Garda vetting requirements of small voluntary organisations.

My Department also provides funding to Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency and a number of other organisations that promote volunteering. The focus of Volunteer Ireland is to create an enabling environment for volunteering, to develop an ethos of volunteerism across all sectors of society and to be an independent and legi timate voice for volunteering.

My Department continue s to review its policy on volunteer centres and other community programmes, having regard to t he need for a sustainable, nationwide approach to supporting volunteering and active citizenship, and will amend its schemes and strategies, where required, to meet the changing needs of our communities.