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Minister Curran Launches the new Offices of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre on the eve of Give it a Swirl Day 2008.

25/09/2008

Below is a speech given by Mr John Curran T.D., Minister of State, at the launch of the South Dublin celebrations of Give it A Swirl Day - the National Day of Volunteering and the opening of South Dublin Volunteer Centre’s new premises.

4pm, Thursday 25th September 2008

 

 Ladies, gentleman, Mayor Corr, I am delighted to be here with you this afternoon to launch the South Dublin celebrations of Give it A Swirl Day - the National Day of Volunteering  - and the opening of South Dublin Volunteer Centre’s new premises.  I would like to thank Trish Nolan and her team for their invitation and for their dedication to this project.

South Dublin Volunteer Centre was one of the first volunteer centres established in Ireland and has long been recognised as a model of best practice for other centres across the country.  In fact in 2005, when my Department announced funding for new centres around Ireland, it was recommended "all centres model themselves on the Tallaght Model". There are now 20 Volunteer Centres in Ireland - all of which have had the benefit of advice and support from the South Dublin Centre.

Today, the Centre has extended its remit to cover the entire county of South Dublin. It has grown from a small shared office in Tallaght Welfare society to a vibrant organisation with 2 offices and 5 staff working across South Dublin County. Over 4000 volunteers have been registered and supported in their volunteer work with more than 500 organisations.

The spirit of volunteering shown by you here in South Dublin is reflected in the Government’s commitment to maintaining and developing that interest.

As the Minister with responsibility for volunteering, I am acutely aware of the vital work that is carried out by community and voluntary groups throughout the country.   Over the last number of years, the Government has prioritised significant new resources in support of the Community & Voluntary sector and now provides well in excess of €5 Billion per annum to the sector. This funding is to support the essential services that Community and Voluntary groups provide to Irish society on a not-for-profit basis. These services include social care, childcare, eldercare, health services, education, environmental, sport, cultural, advocacy, artistic and countless other activities.

The future of these very important services to society needs all of us, and especially our young people, to play their part as active citizens of the future.  

In our hectic modern world one can understand why people might opt out but it is vital that they be encouraged to make that commitment to society. In Ireland we have an ingrained tradition of voluntary commitment, which we must continue to treasure and support.  The challenge facing us involves identifying new and innovative ways of offering opportunities to all members of society to engage meaningfully in volunteering.

‘Give It A Swirl Day’ is a great example of an innovative approach to encouraging people of all ages and from all walks of life - individuals, families, community groups and businesses - to get involved for just a few hours, in a hands-on volunteer project in their local community.

It highlights the importance of voluntary participation and encourages people who have thought about volunteering but haye not taken that step to try their hand and find out what is involved.

It is a practical way of getting people at a local, meaningful level, to become involved in projects that will enhance their own environment.  The events countrywide include activities such as Community clean-ups, tree planting, decorating homes for the elderly and painting murals. I would like to commend Yvonne McKenna and her team at Volunteer Centres Ireland for the excellent promotion of ‘Give it a Swirl Day’ right around the country.

I will conclude by thanking you again for the invitation to be here, and would like to wish South Dublin Volunteer Centre continued success.  Based on what they have achieved so far I am sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.  I hope all who participate in Give It a Swirl Day find it a rewarding and meaningful experience and that for many it will be the first step of a long, rich and fulfilling journey.