Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:639. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to give consideration to an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53438/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 5 December 2023
Ceisteanna (639)
Freagraí scríofa
While I cannot comment specifically on Community Childcare Centres, I am aware more generally of the challenges faced by community and voluntary groups and organisations around recruiting and retaining volunteers.
In publishing the National Volunteering Strategy 2021-2025, Government has acknowledged the importance of volunteering to the well-being of the nation, and has set out a plan for the delivery of an agreed and ambitious vision. The Strategy, which I launched in December 2020, is a whole-of-government framework to support the voluntary sector, the purpose of which is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society.
It is a five-year strategy comprising a suite of policy and strategic initiatives, led by my Department, to support volunteers, their representative groups and a range of not-for-profit organisations in community development, local development, social enterprise, and community and voluntary sectors. The five strategic objectives in the Strategy, and their 56 associated actions, were developed based on extensive consultation and collaboration with stakeholders. My Department is continuing to work to ensure that co-operation with our stakeholders will carry on throughout its lifetime.
The actions set out in the Strategy are focused on the need to invest in volunteering and to work towards addressing the significant challenges around recruitment, training and supporting those who want to volunteer, to ensure that our communities continue to derive the significant benefits from volunteering activities. As part of our progress in implementing the Strategy, my Department is investing in initiatives aimed at encouraging further diversity, innovation and creativity in how and where people volunteer. The Strategy aims to ensure that anyone who wants to volunteer can do so and that we create the supporting environment for this to happen.