Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
63 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity, remains policy in this area; and if not, the policy to be put in its place. [33286/04]
View answerThe White Paper on a framework for supporting voluntary activity is a statement of Government policy objectives and supporting actions. In this context, a number of measures under the White Paper, including multi-annual funding for federations and networks and supports for training, are now in place. It is also appropriate to note that the community and voluntary sector is a pillar in social partnership and represented on NESC and NESF.
The White Paper remains Government policy. However, the context in which White Paper policy is to be implemented has clearly changed with time. Hence, while the broad principles of the White Paper remain, it is appropriate that the mechanisms for addressing these be adjusted to appropriately reflect wider developments, including contextual, programme and structural changes.
Since publication of the White Paper, there has been a number of developments relevant to this area, including: the establishment of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with a particular mandate to secure a more co-ordinated engagement by the State with communities around the country; the frameworks and priorities established under Sustaining Progress; the implementation of new structures, including the county-city development boards and the community fora; the advancement of the RAPID programme featuring area implementation teams; the strengthening of local drugs task forces and the development of regional drugs task forces; and the establishment of rural social scheme and other initiatives in this regard signalled in budget 2005.
These developments reflect a range of initiatives by Government designed to support communities and also deepen engagement with a sector rich in diversity and in contribution to the common good. Many of these initiatives were not contemplated at the time of publication of the White Paper.
Going forward, therefore, it can be anticipated that, while the broad principles in the White Paper remain Government policy, the actions and processes to deliver on these will reflect emerging needs and priorities appropriate to a changing context.
