PRESS RELEASE: Thursday 23 May 2019
For Immediate Release
THREE PENDING GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON CHARITY SECTOR OFFER ‘ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY’, SAYS THE WHEEL
Five-year roadmap for sector should be included
in next Programme for Government
Three interrelated policies, which are currently being finalised by government on community development, volunteering and social enterprise, offer a once in a generation opportunity to realise the full potential of Ireland’s 29,000 non-profit organisations and must be given priority by all concerned, Deirdre Garvey, CEO of The Wheel, said today at the organisation’s 20th Anniversary Summit in Croke Park.
Speaking at the event, Deirdre Garvey said, “The contribution of Ireland’s community, voluntary and charity sector is often overlooked and remains undervalued, despite the sector’s combined annual turnover of €14bn, which represents 4.2% of Ireland’s GDP.”
“Over half a million volunteers, 188,000 staff and 60,000 voluntary board members commit their time annually in 29,000 non-profit organisations, around 10,000 of which are charities. Without this selfless and tireless commitment, Ireland would be a lesser place,” said Ms Garvey. She added that it is vital that the Government's three new policies be fully co-ordinated and cross-referenced to ensure that the interlinked needs of community organisations are effectively addressed. The policies are being developed under the auspices of the Department of Rural and Community Development, but Ms Garvey says it should involve a “whole of government approach”.
“The development of these new policies, for which the government deserves to be commended, offers the prospect of enabling the sector to deliver to its full capacity as we come out of recession. The sector is finally receiving appropriate and deserved attention given the important role it plays in the Irish economy and society”, said Ms Garvey
To achieve these aims, the three new policies should be followed up by a clear five-year roadmap for the community sector in the next Programme for Government.
“This roadmap would enable government and the sector to jointly address and resolve key issues such as early action on streamlining of compliance reporting and provision for the associated costs, a reduction in the cost of insurance, certainty of adequate funding streams, public procurement procedures that enable social enterprises and the introduction of a financial reporting standard for charities to sustain public trust ,” said Ms. Garvey.
The Summit, which will be addressed by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar TD, marks the 20th anniversary of The Wheel, which represents almost 1,600 charities, community and voluntary organisations, and social enterprises countrywide.
The Wheel’s Summit in Croke Park was attended by over 400 delegates representing charities, community and voluntary organisations and social enterprises.
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For more information contact Gert Ackermann, Communications Manager at The Wheel on 086 176 9287 or gert@wheel.ie.
ABOUT THE WHEEL
The Wheel is Ireland’s national association of charities, community, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. We are a representative voice and a supportive resource that offers leadership, advice, training, influence and advocacy for the sector. Our membership includes nearly 1,600 of Ireland’s leading charities. Visit www.wheel.ie for more information.
