Vol. 559 No. 2
195 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when the assessment committee for the training and supports scheme will meet in view of the fact that the closing date for the scheme was 7 May; the reason the budget for this scheme has been drastically cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26083/02]
196 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the networks and federations grants scheme will be advertised; the person who will set the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/02]
197 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding which is available for the community and voluntary sector; the position regarding the networks and federations grants scheme; the reason it took one year to make a decision regarding applications; the position regarding the money which the community and voluntary sector was assured at the beginning of November was earmarked for this grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26085/02]
198 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will implement the principles outlined in the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity which were set out to govern the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26086/02]
199 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the budget for research into the community and voluntary sector has been suspended; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26087/02]
200 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the Government's priorities in relation to the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity; and the timetable for the implementation of same. [26088/02]
201 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role of the implementation and advisory group in view of the fact that the Government is breaching the spirit of the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity, in terms of its slashing funds for the sector, for example, the community development programme, the community employment cuts, social economy cuts, and also cuts in campaigns such as Know Racism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26089/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 to 201, inclusive, together because they relate to issues associated with the implementation of the White Paper on supporting voluntary activity.
The White Paper was published in September 2000. It contains a range of recommendations relating to the relationship between the State and the community and voluntary sector and also provides for a number of funding schemes. A unique feature of the White Paper is the establishment of an implementation and advisory group comprising representatives of the statutory and community and voluntary sectors which is tasked with advising on the implementation of the recommendations contained in it. The first meeting of the IAG was held in July 2001 and to date it has met on 15 occasions. The group has devised a work plan to progress the implementation of the White Paper recommendations and will review its progress after a three year period.
The terms of reference of the IAG are: advise on a programme of research which will include quantifying the full extent of community and voluntary activity in Ireland; agree standard protocols for financial accountability in respect of the State funding the sector; monitor administrative mechanisms to underpin the effective functioning of the working relationship and discuss and agree proposals that promote integrated approaches at national level; monitor developments in accreditation of training for the sector; formulate practical proposals to further enhance support and training capacity within the sector and within other sectors; advise on the development of a regulatory framework for the sector; examine areas of overlap or gaps in statutory responsibility with regard to support for the community and voluntary sector at policy and programme level and make recommendations to resolve such situations; advise on the distribution of the €2.539 million allocation for other federations and networks across the eligible areas/Votes; advise on issues relating to allocations from the national lottery surplus; oversee the publication of a comprehensive manual of funding and regular updated versions; and undertake a formal review of the workings of the group after a three year period.
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.
