Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
1305. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she is taking in response to the recommendations in a report by an organisation (details supplied) on the support needs of the non-profit sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17506/21]
View answerI welcome the publication by the Wheel and Carmichael of the Consultation Report on the Support Needs of the Non Profit Sector, which provides useful qualitative data in relation to the needs of the non-profit sector as we entered the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a comprehensive piece of research which covers ‘support needs’ in the broadest sense. My Department was pleased to provide match funding for this project in recognition of the value this report would have for our on-going work, and for the sector as a whole.
There has been and continues to be ongoing dialogue between my officials, representatives from the sector, and other stakeholders, which has already fed into some of the work being undertaken by my Department over the past number of years. This continuing engagement will help to meet some of the challenges identified in this report over the next number of years.
My Department's five-year strategy for the sector, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, was co-produced by Government and representatives from the community development, local development and community and voluntary sectors, and facilitated through a cross sectoral group.
The Strategy sets out a general direction of travel for government policy in relation to the community development, local development and the community and voluntary sectors for the coming decade. The Strategy also copper-fastens the renewed relationship and partnership between government and the community and voluntary sectors. We are now two years into its implementation, and putting its objectives into action will make real headway in addressing many of the challenges identified.
There is a diverse range of actions in the strategy, including the need to support more sustainable funding models, training and capacity building, support for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and Climate Action interventions.
Under this strategy, and the guidance of the cross-sectoral group, my Department is leading a modular research project to identify the specific training and capacity gaps in the community and voluntary sector which will add value to the work undertaken in the report in question, informing specific actions to help fill those skills gaps.
Government are currently implementing a suite of policies designed to support the sector which brings with it a greater understanding of the challenges the sector faces on an ongoing basis. I am confident we will make substantial progress on our shared goal of supporting a sustainable, inclusive and empowered community and voluntary sector in Ireland for the years ahead.
