Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - International Year of Volunteers.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

174 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the arrangements which have been put in place in order that Ireland can properly mark the UN International Year of Volunteers 2001 in a way which will recognise the work of volunteers in Irish community life and encourage others to take up the challenge of volunteering; and the proposed arrangements in relation to structures, staffing and finance. [16005/00]

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

The General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed 2001 as the International Year of Volunteers, known as IYV 2001. The year is designed to enhance recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteer service. The intended outcomes of the year are that more needs be identified with which volunteers can help; that more people everywhere offer their services as volunteers; and that volunteer programmes receive increased resources and facilities, to help them assign those new volunteers to tackling the needs.

In such a year, all can gain. Individuals can find a renewed sense of purpose. Volunteer groups can be reinvigorated. Governments and the non-profit and private sectors can enter into fresh partnerships to make for greater participation, alleviate problems and promote good governance.

The UN year of the volunteer will provide a focus for activity to support volunteering. The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides that a national committee on volunteering will be established, with participation from relevant interests, which will devise strategies and actions for supporting and developing volunteering. The committee will devise strategies and actions for supporting and developing volunteering, not just during the International Year, but for the longer term.

I will shortly be putting the arrangements in place to set up this committee and issues of structures, staffing and finance will be examined as part of this process. I know that various organisations involved in volunteering have already met to discuss how to make the most of IYV 2001. A number of organisations have already submitted suggestions to my Department in relation to projects that they would like to have promoted during the year. All of these submissions will be made available to the national committee on volunteering to assist it in its work.