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31 March 2005

DSD ANNOUNCES SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR

The Minister for Social Development, John Spellar MP today launched "Positive Steps", Government’s response to the report of the Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Minister Spellar said: "I am pleased to be able to respond positively to many of the recommendations made by the Task Force. The additional £23 million announced in the budget was an early endorsement of the Task Force recommendations, which have been considered across Government. The actions outlined in the response will strengthen the relationship between Government and the voluntary and community sector and help the sector deliver better services."

The actions being taken forward include:

  • The establishment of a Community Investment Fund, initially for £5 million, over the next three years, to support community development activity;

  • A Modernisation Fund of £3 million to promote modernisation and change within the sector, and a further £15 million for capital projects;

  • Moving towards a longer-term funding and planning framework;

  • Improving systems of governance and accountability in the voluntary and community sector; and

  • Streamlining the audit and accountability of funding to the sector.

Acknowledging the vital work undertaken by the sector, the Minister said:

"The voluntary and community sector makes a significant contribution to life in Northern Ireland and is a key social partner working with Government to deliver social, economic, cultural and environmental change. We want to work in partnership with the sector to deliver Government objectives, tackle disadvantage, build stronger, peaceful communities and improve public services."

Referring to the current consultation on proposals for changing the regulation of charity law in Northern Ireland, one of the recommendations of the Task Force, he concluded: "We need to strengthen the regulation of charity law in Northern Ireland to help charities develop their activities and services and ensure the confidence of the general public and other key stakeholders. I would urge all those with an interest in this area to take part in the consultation, which concludes in May."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. The Task Force on Resourcing the Voluntary and Community Sector, was established to develop a strategy to enable the voluntary and community sector to continue to make a substantial contribution to the achievement of Government objectives, and to the well-being of the Northern Ireland community. Its report ‘Investing Together’ was published in October 2004.

2. Further information on the work of the Task Force is available at www.taskforcevcsni.gov.uk

3. For copies of the document ‘Positive Steps’ please contact:

Stephen Graham
Voluntary and Community Unit
3rd Floor
Lighthouse Building
1 Cromac Place
Gasworks Business Park
Belfast
BT7 2JB
Tel: 028 9082 9425
Fax 028 9082 9431
Textphone: 028 9082 9446

4. ‘Positive Steps’ is also available from www.dsdni.gov.uk

5. For further information please contact the DSD Information Office on telephone 028 9082 9078.

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