Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 2

Written Answers. - International Year of the Volunteer.

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

The Deputy may be interested to know that I am involved in a voluntary capacity with a number of organisations in my local area. This commitment predates my involvement in politics. That being so, I have contributed in excess of a day's annual leave not only this year, the International Year of the Volunteer, but over the last number of years. I propose to continue working in such a capacity for some time to come.

As regards the staff of my Department, there is no special provision for the granting of paid leave to civil servants for voluntary work. There are, however, long standing special arrangements in the Civil Service whereby staff members can be considered for leave of absence for extended periods to undertake charitable work on a voluntary basis and a number of staff members of my Department have availed of these arrangements. My Department will continue to support staff members as regards leave of absence for agreed periods to undertake charitable voluntary work within the general arrangements which apply to civil servants. I hope the Deputy can appreciate that the proposal to grant one day's paid leave to some 4,500 staff members of my Department to do voluntary work is not practicable. Nonetheless, in the context of International Year of the Volunteer, I will ask my Department to keep under review proposals to encourage staff in volunteering their time to worthy causes.

As the Deputy knows, the United Nations has designated the year 2001 as International Year of the Volunteer. The main objectives of the year are the recognition, promotion, facilitation and networking of volunteering contributions world-wide. The International Year of the Volunteer provides an opportunity to further raise the profile of volunteering in Ireland and progress the Government's policies with regard to development of social capital and encouragement of volunteerism.

On 5 December 2000, I launched the National Committee on Volunteering, under the chairmanship of Deputy Flood. This committee has a total membership of 38 and members are drawn from relevant Departments, including my Department, universities with related research or training roles, business and industry, foundations, leading non-governmental organisations and community and voluntary groups together with some individuals in their personal capacity. This committee's primary function is to agree a broad strategy for IYV 2001. I have also asked the committee to examine and make recommendations on the possibilities for recognition and accreditation for voluntary work and for training undertaken as a volunteer; measures to widen the pool of volunteers and the range of supports needed to promote, sustain and develop volunteering. A budget of £1 million has been allocated by my Department to the workings of the National Committee on Volunteering. In addition, I have asked staff of my Department to organise a seminar on the topic, "The Importance of Social Capital". This seminar will be held at the end of March and will involve prominent international and Irish speakers and will be a further contribution by my Department to the IYV 2001.

Question No. 149 answered with Question No. 145.