Voluntary Sector

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 November 2016

Thursday, 10 November 2016

Ceisteanna (179, 180)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the reason a volunteer centre (details supplied) is the lowest-funded centre in the country with only two part-time staff trying to provide service in County Longford and outreach centres in Ballymahon and Granard; his views on whether these centres are pivotal in supporting volunteerism; and if he will revise the funding for County Longford upwards to match, at a minimum, comparable counties. [34385/16]

Robert Troy

Ceist:

180. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government his future plans for volunteer centres; his views on the pivotal role they play in supporting volunteerism; his further views on the fact that they have experienced disproportionate cuts during the recession; and if he will partially restore the cuts with an increase of 10 % in 2017. [34386/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

My Department’s Community & Voluntary Supports & Programmes provide a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. This programme supports 21 Volunteer Centres and 8 Volunteer Information Services, as well as a number of national organisations, including Volunteer Ireland. Over €3m was allocated for these organisations in 2016.

With the assistance of Volunteer Ireland, my Department has recently initiated a review of the distribution of funding to Volunteer Centres, to ensure a more sustainable distribution of funding. The funding of all Volunteer Centres, including Longford Volunteer Centre, will be considered in the course of this review, and in the context of funding available following Budget 2017.