Róisín Shortall
Question:182 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when the White Paper on Voluntary Activity will be published. [13131/98]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Voluntary Sector.
As indicated in my reply to Question No. 34 of 29 April last — col. 582, I have established a steering group, drawn from a range of relevant agencies and Departments and from the voluntary sector, with the following terms of reference: advise on the consultation process with the voluntary and community sector, and with relevant statutory agencies, in relation to the White Paper; participate in same, that is, provide speakers as appropriate; mediate and comment on feedback and advise on issues and directions for the White Paper.
The group has met on two occasions to date. As I also indicated in my reply to the previous question, my intention was that the White Paper be published before the end of the year. However, at their most recent meeting on 28 May 1998, members of the group expressed concern that this might be too tight a timeframe to allow for adequate consultation with the voluntary and community sector and asked that this timeframe be extended for some three months or so to ensure that time is available for the widest range of voluntary and community groups to be involved in discussions and debate about the forthcoming White Paper. As my primary concern in the preparation of the White Paper is to ensure that it reflects the issues that are of real importance to the sector and that there is genuine consultation in this regard, I have agreed to this request.