Volunteer Ireland and local volunteer centres have launched their 2016 election manifesto

Volunteering impacts every aspect of Irish society with volunteers supporting the Government’s work in a variety of ways. Apart from these direct benefits, volunteering provides a host of indirect economic and social advantages. Charities across the country simply could not survive without the support of volunteers.

Although we can be proud of the achievements of volunteering in Ireland, there is still huge potential for improvements and growth. Louth Volunteer Centre or Volunteering Information Service has five small asks which, if implemented, will change the future of volunteering in Ireland:

1.      Develop and implement a Government strategy on volunteering

2.      Restore funding to Volunteer Ireland and the network of Volunteer Centres and Volunteering Information Services

3.      Ensure jobseekers are aware that they can volunteer 

4.      Conduct research on volunteering in Ireland

5.      Commence the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012

These are small actions that require little financial investment but have the potential to reap great rewards.

You can read more about these asks in the enclosed election manifesto.