Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - White Paper Publication.

Seán Ryan

Question:

68 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when it is expected that the promised White Paper on the community and voluntary sector will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15020/00]

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

I have been very conscious of the need to have extensive and genuine consultation so that the forthcoming White Paper properly and adequately reflects the issues that are of real importance to the community and voluntary sector. The consultation process was in three phases. 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 provided for a national seminar to which people were invited to discuss the issues addressed by the steering group in their discussion papers.

Following the seminar, my Department revised the discussion papers to take account of observations made by delegates at the seminar and written submissions received from individuals and groups following the seminar.

The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness gave a commitment that the White Paper would be published in April 2000. At a steering group meeting held on 11 April, members of the group expressed concern that the end of April might be too tight a timeframe to allow for the inclusion of feedback from submissions made following the national seminar. The group also asked that the timeframe be extended to enable the group to make comments on revisions made to the discussion papers before circulation to Government. As my primary concern is to ensure that there is genuine consultation in the preparation of the White Paper, I agreed to this request.

A further steering group meeting was held on 18 May to provide an opportunity for the steering group to address the issues raised during the national seminar and subsequently received written submissions. My Department is currently making further revisions to the discussion papers to reflect this process.

When complete, I will finalise my proposals for discussion at Government in the coming weeks. At this stage I intend that the White Paper will be finalised in June.