Paul McGrath
Question:21 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if the implementation group first proposed in the White Paper on volunteerism is established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15159/01]
Written Answers. - White Paper on Volunteerism.
As the House will be aware, the White Paper on a framework for supporting voluntary activity and for developing the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector was published in September 2000. The publication of the White Paper marked a fundamental change in attitudes to the provision of support for community and voluntary groups.
The White Paper provides for the establishment of an implementation and advisory group consisting of representatives from both the community and voluntary sector and the statutory sector. This group will be co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Health and Children. The implementation and advisory group will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the decisions contained in the White Paper and will identify any unresolved issues arising in a national context. This group will be of enormous assistance in driving the White Paper forward.
At present, the community and voluntary sectors are involved in a process to select their representatives to the implementation and advisory group. My Department is providing assistance, including financial, to the community and voluntary sector to ensure appropriate representational structures from that sector. The Deputy may be aware that the sector has agreed on an appropriate process and placed two sets of advertisements in national newspapers – on Friday, 6 April 2001 and Thursday, 10 May 2001 – in this regard.
I look forward to the speedy nomination of the representatives from the voluntary and community sector to the implementation and advisory group so that the group can begin its important work in ensuring the White Paper proposals are implemented.