Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2017
467. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided to County Laois for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51489/17]
View answerMy Department’s Community & Voluntary Supports & Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5m was provided in 2017 under this programme to support 21 Volunteer Centres, 8 Volunteer Information Services (VISs) and a number of national volunteer-supporting organisations, such as Volunteer Ireland. Each VIS, including Laois, was allocated some €11,000 in 2017 for the service it provided.
Volunteer Centres maintain their own premises, are responsible for all their overheads, engage a minimum of at least two full time employees, facilitate a drop in service for potential volunteers, and carry out a host of functions associated with Volunteering e.g. training courses, seminars, volunteer evenings, workshops.
Volunteer Information Services provide a valuable service in the promotion of volunteering in areas not covered by a Volunteer Centre. They act as a catalyst to encourage volunteering amongst all age groups and also act as a conduit to match suitable volunteers with host organisations. While the aims of the Volunteering Information Services are the same as Volunteer Centres, the difference between the two is that, in the case of Volunteer Information Services, the majority are hosted within local development companies, and supports are offered by means of a website or webpage.
It is envisaged that the level of funding available under this programme in 2018 for Volunteer Centres and Volunteer Information Services will, as far as practical, continue to reflect the costs associated with running the service provided by both types of organisations.
