Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Voluntary Sector.

Mary Upton

Ceist:

1560 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if, in line with the Government White Paper, Supporting Voluntary Activity, he has appointed a voluntary activity unit responsible for his Department's co-operation with voluntary and community organisations; if so, the unit's personnel, activities and work to date; if not, the reason therefor; and the personnel in his Department responsible for co- operation with voluntary and community organisations. [16735/02]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. N. Ahern):

In accordance with the commitment in the White Paper on Supporting Voluntary Activity, the voluntary and co-operative housing unit of my Department has been designated as responsible for co-ordinating liaison between the Department and the community and voluntary sector.

The personnel of the unit consists of a principal officer on the basis of approximately 50% of the officer's time, an assistant principal officer, a higher executive officer, an executive officer and a clerical officer.

The unit is primarily responsible for policy development in relation to voluntary and co-operative housing and delivery of the Government's voluntary and co-operative housing programme in addition to co-ordinating matters arising from the White Paper which have implications for the Department.