Vol. 572 No. 6
92 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the initiatives which have been undertaken and are planned by his Department to increase the involvement by the corporate sector in supporting communities and involvement in community development as set out in his Department's Statement of Strategy 2003-2005. [24158/03]
In the social policy agenda adopted in June 2000, the European Commission prioritised corporate social responsibility as part of its strategic goal to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world.
While the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment enjoys lead responsibility for co-ordinating EU policy in relation to CSR at national level, my Department maintains regular contact with that Department on developments, given the commitment in the programme for Government to support initiatives to expand CSR.
My Department's development of CSR in a community and local development context will be facilitated through a range of supports and structures such as partnerships, community development projects and Leader groups. This is an integral element of my Department's strategic objective of assisting communities, especially those suffering disadvantage and social exclusion.
In September I approved a grant of €105,000 over the next three years to Business in the Community which is a leading organisation in Ireland promoting CSR activity. The grant will assist the organisation in helping the community and voluntary sector enhance its capacity to engage with the corporate sector by assisting it in identifying its needs and communicating them to business. The funding will help create an important conduit in facilitating skills transfer from businesses to the community and voluntary sector.
