Joe Costello
Question:97 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date in implementing the White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity, published in September 2002. [24449/02]
Written Answers. - White Paper Implementation.
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:137 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on progress made in his Department in furthering the White Paper on Voluntary Activity. [24477/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 137 together.
The Government published the White Paper on a Framework for Supporting Voluntary Activity and for Developing the Relationship between the State and the Community and Voluntary Sector on 13 September 2000. The White Paper marked the start of the Government's long-term strategy to develop and support the community and voluntary sector. It sets out the rationale for developing the relationship between the State and the sector and the principles which should underpin this relationship.
A unique feature of the White Paper was the establishment of an implementation and advisory group or IAG to oversee the implementation of the White Paper's recommendations, co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Health and Children. The group consists of six members from the community and voluntary sector and six from the statutory sector. The secretariat to the IAG is provided by my Department. Any recommendations coming from the group are, and will continue to be, considered by my Department in the normal way.
The implementation and advisory group has met on 14 occasions since its establishment in July 2001. Much of the detailed work of the group has been carried out by sub-committees formed to examine specific issues and report to the main group. The group has devised a detailed workplan to assist in implementing the recommendations. Matters considered by the group to date include the multiplicity of funding sources through which the sector must operate, specific funding schemes provided for in the White Paper including the development of training and supports in the sector, and accreditation of training in the sector.
The White Paper included a commitment to reform the law on charities and charitable fundraising. The work of reviewing the legislation is currently under way in my Department. The community and voluntary sector will be consulted through the implementation and advisory group in considering legislative reform.
The White Paper provides for a formal review of the workings of the group after three years.