John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the development of a new national volunteer strategy to succeed the current scheme, which expires this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14608/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The role of volunteers and voluntary organisations in building and sustaining a resilient, cohesive and healthy society cannot be over-stated. Accordingly, my Department has supported the development of a coordinated national volunteering infrastructure that includes 29 local volunteer centres, a national volunteering database and funding to a number of national volunteer-supporting organisations. In 2025, €7.3 million has been set aside by my Department to support volunteering.

The first National Volunteering Strategy was launched in December 2020. It is a whole of government policy aimed at recognising, supporting and promoting the unique value and contribution of volunteers in Irish society. In developing the strategy, my Department took a collaborative approach engaging with volunteers, volunteer-involving organisations, volunteer centres, advocacy bodies and stakeholders across Government. The Strategy comprises a suite of policy measures and strategic actions designed to support the development and sustainability of volunteering.

As the Deputy will be aware, there is a commitment in the new Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future , to publish a new National Volunteering Strategy. My Department is currently engaged in this work and I expect a draft to be ready for my consideration before the end of this year.

The second Strategy will build on the progress made by the first – strengthening Ireland’s now well-established volunteering infrastructure, continuing to progress areas of best practice, and ensuring that support for and recognition of the value of volunteering is sustainable into the future.

As with all policies in my Department, the new Strategy will be developed in consultation with the sector, continuing the collaboration and cooperation that has characterised the current iteration.