Programme for Government
We have launched our #PutCommunityFirst campaign to mobilise our members to collectively shine a light on the key policy issues which must be prioritised in the next Programme for Government. It is more important than ever that we put community supports, and all those who rely on them, first.
#PutCommunityFirst
In order to put communities first - it is imperative that a senior Minister and Department for the Community and Voluntary Sector is retained. This ministry occupies a seat at the cabinet table which recognises, values, and prioritises the work of the thousands of charities, community and voluntary organisation, and social enterprises who have served as the backbone of the country throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
Now, as we move in to recovery, it is vitally important that these organisations are supported and resourced to continue this work, providing supports and services for our most vulnerable of people. This is not the time to de-prioritse the community and voluntary sector, it is the time to do the opposite and #PutCommunityFirst.
Take Action Today!
We want you to contact your local TD and re-iterate how important it is that the sector is supported, in order to support vulnerable people, throughout the next Programme for Government. In particular, make sure your local TD knows about the incredible work that your charity, community and voluntary organisation, or social enterprise has done to support people through the COVID-19 crisis.
Remember, 79 TD's elected on 8 Feb signed our Stronger Communities, Stronger Ireland manifesto. We must ensure this commitment is followed through in Programme for Government negotiations. See who signed here.
We welcome the fact that the Draft Programme for Government: Our Shared Future contains commitments to:
- Develop and implement a more collaborative framework for partnership working
- Make progress towards the department of Health’s Independent Review Group (IRG) report recommendations by supporting the Dialogue Forum working with voluntary organisations to build a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector (Pg 45)
- Incentivise philanthropy (Pg 92)
- Bring down the cost of insurance (Pg 28)
- Develop a strategy for skills building
Fully implement the Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities: A Five-Year Strategy to Support the Community and Voluntary Sector in Ireland 2019-2024 (Pg 92) - Build on the National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland 2019-2022 (Pg 92)
- Publish a strategy to support volunteering, including the development of a comprehensive supporting infrastructure and measures to disseminate best practice (Pg 92).