Vol. 543 No. 3
36 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will outline the work of the National Committee on Volunteering; the plans of the committee for further initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26876/01]
The United Nations has proclaimed 2001 as the international year of volunteers, known as IYV 2001, with the objective of promoting and enhancing recognition of volunteer service. On 21 November 2000, as provided for in the PPF, I established the National Committee on Volunteering, under the chairmanship of Deputy Flood. The key functions of the committee are to develop awareness of the role volunteers play in Irish society; to provide support for voluntary and community organisations at local and national level in highlighting and celebrating the role of volunteers in their organis ations; to provide a national focus for volunteering in the context of IYV 2001; and to oversee the management of IYV 2001. The committee has a broad-based membership of 38 with representatives drawn from leading NGOs, foundations, community and voluntary groups, universities with related research or training roles, business and industry and relevant Government Departments. The committee, which is supported by a small full-time secretariat, will be in place for a period of two years, after which time its membership and future role will be reviewed.
A budget of £1 million, or 1,269,73,8 has been allocated to the National Committee on Volunteering for its work during IYV 2001. Some £350,000, or 444,408, of this was set aside by the committee for a grant scheme to mark IYV 2001. Grants were awarded to over 80 community and voluntary groups in July 2001. During IYV 2001, the committee has focused primarily on organising events to celebrate volunteering and its contribution to society. Many such events, ranging from locally-based celebrations of volunteers to national cultural promotions of volunteer activity, such as the commissioning of five Irish poets to reflect on volunteering, have taken place. The culmination of the year's events will be a major cross-border conference on volunteering in County Cavan on 26 and 27 November 2001, organised jointly with the authorities in Northern Ireland. The end of IYV 2001 in Ireland will be marked on 10 December by a presentation by the Taoiseach of a specially commissioned piece of sculpture to each local authority in Ireland. The piece will acknowledge and celebrate the huge contribution that volunteer activity has made to Irish society.
During 2002 the committee will continue to examine issues related to volunteering, including 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 in order to promote, sustain and develop volunteering. The committee will report to Government at the end of 2002.
