Joe O'Brien - Green Party Joe O'Brien - Green Party

Minister Joe O’Brien praises the work of our Volunteers as National Volunteering Week draws to a close

21st May, 2021

Minister Joe O’Brien (Green Party)

Dublin Fingal

20th May 2021

 

Minister Joe O’Brien praises the work of our Volunteers as National Volunteering Week draws to a close

  • Opening of 7 new centres part of National Volunteering Strategy
  • Every county now has a Volunteer Centre
  • Minister thanks Volunteers for joining Community Call

Mr. Joe O’Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, this week announced the opening of seven new volunteer centres across the country.  The new Volunteer Centres serve Kilkenny, Leitrim, Laois, Offaly, Roscommon, Waterford and Wexford, meaning there is now a volunteer centre in every county.

Minister O’Brien said:

“Here in Fingal our volunteers do fantastic work and I know for National Volunteering Week some great events were organised including the clean-up of Balbriggan and Baldoyle beaches.”

Volunteer Centres are supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development to provide a placement service between individuals and groups who want to volunteer and organisations that are seeking to involve volunteers. They also provide training, Garda vetting, advice and supports to volunteer organisations. Funding for the establishment of the new centres came from the Dormant Action Plan, and ongoing funding support will be provided from the Department’s Volunteering Supports budget.

This announcement is a key deliverable of the National Volunteering Strategy which Minister O’Brien launched in December 2020.  The opening of these seven Volunteer Centres is a hugely positive step and will ensure volunteers are supported in contributing to developing and maintaining vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities through volunteering.

Launching the new Volunteer Centres, Minister O’Brien said:

“My Department’s funding to Volunteer Centres is designed to strengthen and foster volunteering in Ireland.”

“Back in March 2020, the country was called on to step-up and the response by volunteers was staggering.”

“With the support of the thousands of volunteers in communities across Ireland including here in Fingal, the Community Call was successfully able to support those most vulnerable in our communities during the pandemic.”

“As part of National Volunteering Week, we take the time to acknowledge and showcase this effort and all volunteering efforts and I look forward to attending the events being organised across the country.”

ENDS

For more information please contact johanna.walsh@oireachtas.ie