Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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218. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of the Volunteering Strategy Implementation Group; the membership of the committee; the number of meetings held to date; the membership and work of the sub-committees of the Volunteering Strategy Implementation Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30130/21]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Following the launch of the first National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025 in December last, my Department established an Implementation Group to oversee the delivery of the 56 actions outlined in the Strategy.

Chaired by the Department of Rural and Community Development, the membership of the Implementation Group is as follows:

In addition to the above, there are three seats on the Implementation Group which were filled by Expression of Interest to represent -

Academic Interests: NUI Galway, and

Volunteering Sector Interests: Gaisce and Ability West.

While the work of the Implementation Group is still at an early stage, five sub-groups have been established. These sub-groups will assist with the delivery of the actions on a thematic basis. They are:

Communication Awareness and Recognition Sub-Group: To raise awareness and educate the public, to encourage the diversification of the volunteering population and support the appropriate recognition of those who already volunteer.

Volunteer Research Sub-Group: To facilitate the completion of appropriate research to support the implementation of the Strategy in a knowledge-based manner, to recognise the value of the skills developed by volunteers, and to appreciate the full impact of volunteering in Ireland.

IT Development Sub-Group: To support the development and cohesion of the IT infrastructure underpinning the volunteering sector for the benefit of the professionals using the systems and individuals seeking new opportunities.

Volunteer Management & Capacity Building Sub-Group: To support and build capacity in Volunteer Centres, volunteer involving organisations and amongst volunteers to provide an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for organisations and individuals, including through the introduction of new, more flexible and tailored volunteering opportunities.

International Volunteering Sub-Group: To support the development of sustainable and appropriate international volunteering opportunities.

Additional stakeholders may be asked to assist the work of the sub-groups as required. 

There has been one meeting of the National Volunteering Implementation Group since its establishment in March 2021, and work has also commenced at subgroup level with at least one meeting of each subgroup held to date. The Group is working together with my Department to develop an implementation plan and to commence delivering the actions in a planned and coherent manner over the coming months.