Vol. 477 No. 6
21 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare his views on the contribution by voluntary organisations in our communities; the level of funding available to such groups; the basis of such funding; if he has satisfied himself that adequate funding is available to such groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9867/97]
The voluntary sector has a long and valued tradition of meeting social needs in Ireland. Many essential services are provided by voluntary organisations, and the voluntary and community sector is playing an increasing role in the areas of social service delivery, combating poverty and community development. The important role of the sector is reflected in the substantial amount of funding — more than £425 million — annually which it receives from the Irish State, including national lottery funds, and EU sources. I am satisifed that this level of funding represents a very considerable level of support for voluntary and community activity. This funding is available from a range of Departments, with the largest amount being available through the health services for provision of personal social services for the elderly, mental handicap services, services for people with disabilities, child care services, women's refuges and other services. A range of statutory and non-statutory, once-off and ongoing funding arrangements apply.
The Department of Social Welfare administers the community development programme, the money advice and budgeting service and a number of grant schemes for women's groups, men's groups, lone parent groups etc. The total allocation for these schemes in 1997 is £12.525 million. This represents an increase of over £4 million on the corresponding end-1994 figure.
As already announced, I will be publishing a Green Paper on voluntary activity with a view to moving forward the debate about the role of the voluntary community sector and its relation with the State. The Green Paper is intended to stimulate further debate and to facilitate further engagement between the statutory and voluntary sectors in relation to the issues involved. The debate will help shape future Government policy in relation to the voluntary community sector.
The Green Paper will cover issues such as suggested principles which should underpin the relationship between the State and the voluntary sector including the matter of representation in national policy making fora; suggestions regarding the method and source of funding for national representative structures for the voluntary sector; criteria to be attached to funding generally by statutory agencies; issues relating to charitable status and taxation issues; effective consultation mechanisms already in place both nationally and at EU level and the reasons for their effectiveness; and areas which could usefully be explored where models of statutory-voluntary sector co-operation should be actively encouraged.
The finishing touches are being put to the Green Paper at present and it will be published in the next few weeks.
