Dáil Éireann debate - Thursday, 4 Mar 1999

Written Answers. - White Paper on the Voluntary Sector.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

47 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when the promised White Paper on the Voluntary Sector will be published; the number of occasions on which the steering group working on the paper has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6403/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

As indicated in my reply to Question No. 34 of 29 April 1998, Question No. 182 of 4 June 1998 and Question No. 745 of 27 January 1999 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: (1) advise on the consultation process with the voluntary and community sector, and with relevant statutory agencies in relation to the White Paper; (2) participate in same, that is, provide speakers as appropriate; and (3) mediate and comment on feedback and advise on issues and directions for the White Paper. The group has met on eight occasions to date and is planning further sub-group meetings to pursue issues in more depth.

The consultation process with the voluntary and community sector provided for a three phased approach. The first phase provided for information seminars and invited submissions from interested parties. The second phase involved a series of joint regional workshops for the voluntary and community groups and the statutory agencies. The final phase will provide for a national seminar to which people, who have been involved in the initial phases, will be invited to discuss the issues addressed by the steering group in their discussion papers.

The first and second phases of the consultation process have now been completed. In this context, 72 submissions were received by my Department and 53 regional seminars have taken place in different locations around the country. The final phase is now being planned. The steering group is currently developing a number of discussion papers reflecting the issues which have been raised in the first two phases of the consultation process. The national seminar which will be held shortly, will provide the opportunity for people who have been involved in the initial phases to discuss the issues addressed by the steering group in their papers. Following completion of the consultation process with the voluntary and community sector, it is envisaged that the White Paper will be published before the end of the summer 1999.