Written answers

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Department of Rural and Community Development

Voluntary Sector

Photo of Maeve O'ConnellMaeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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278. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if volunteer centres will be further supported to nurture the culture of volunteering which exists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14369/25]

Photo of Dara CallearyDara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Since its establishment in 2017, the Department of Rural and Community Development has been responsible for providing support and funding to volunteer centres. In that time seven new centres have opened, bringing the total to 29 volunteer centres nationwide. Volunteer centres promote, develop, support and enable volunteering in their local areas.

Volunteer centre services include providing a placement service between individuals and groups who want to undertake voluntary activity and organisations that are seeking volunteers; matching individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate volunteering opportunities; Garda vetting; and offering advice and support to volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations.

In addition, volunteer centres also support various Government policies and priorities. In recent years, for example, volunteer centres have been heavily involved in the State’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the arrival of significant numbers of Ukrainian refugees, and integration and support efforts for International Protection Applicants and other new arrivals.

The first National Volunteering Strategy was published in December 2020. The purpose of the Strategy is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution volunteers make to Irish society. The Strategy is a roadmap for supporting volunteering, recognising its importance in the creation of vibrant, sustainable and inclusive communities throughout Ireland.

Since the publication of the Strategy, Government support for volunteering has increased. In 2024, funding from my Department to volunteer centres amounted to €4.1 million. However, increased funding for the 29 Volunteer Centres was secured in Budget 2025, with an extra €730,000 to be distributed across the network this year. This represents a 12% increase in their core funding.

My Department is continuing to work with the 29 Volunteer Centres to ensure that volunteering infrastructure across Ireland continues to be supported, that those who wish to do so are enabled to volunteer, and to sustain the ongoing delivery of the National Volunteering Strategy.

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