The Government is to set up a new office charged with implementing new ways of encouraging more people to get involved in community life. The non-statutory Active Citizenship Office will include a team of officials from various Government departments that will report directly to the Taoiseach.
It is one of about 25 recommendations contained in the final report of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship, established by Bertie Ahern last year. They include:
• An independent electoral commission to encourage everyone who is eligible to vote in elections;
• Formal citizenship ceremonies for newcomers to mark admission to Irish citizenship and to engage and welcome newcomers. This could also apply to all Irish citizens upon reaching 18;
• An initiative to help community and voluntary organisations meet compliance costs and to ensure these costs are proportionate;
• A national presidential citizen awards to recognise outstanding contributions to civic and community life.
Mr Ahern said the recommendations were formally adopted by the Cabinet this week and that the new office will be established to ensure the recommendations are acted on. He did not, however, offer any details on whether extra financial support would be made available to community and voluntary groups.
Overall, Mr Ahern said the taskforce had offered practical suggestions about how the State could support greater levels of civic engagement.
"I welcome the proposal for a ceremony to mark someone's admission to citizenship. I believe we need to show that citizenship is a valued status, bringing with it rights and responsibilities," he said. "As the taskforce points out, this could apply not just to those acquiring Irish citizenship for the first time, but also to Irish citizens when they reach the age of 18."
Despite anecdotal suggestions that volunteer levels are decreasing, the report notes that there is no clear evidence to support this. ESRI research quoted in the report suggests that between 2002 and 2006, there has been an increase in the proportion of people who are active members of an organisation or take part in regular, unpaid volunteer work.
The taskforce's chairwoman, Mary Davis, said despite pressures of time, work and family commitments, the taskforce heard many inspiring stories of individuals and organisations contributing to the wellbeing of communities.
"There is an overwhelming willingness by people from all sectors to participate in the issues that affect them on a local and national level," she said.
The taskforce's report was welcomed by organisations, although the Green Party said Government policies can help to undermine volunteering in Irish society.Development agency Gorta called for "active philanthropy" to maximise the potential from the active citizenship recommendations.
Gorta chief executive Brian Hanratty said there was no point having an army of volunteers without equipping them with necessary financial resources to support their work.
"The minimum threshold of €250 for donations qualifying for tax relief needs to be eliminated, as it discriminates against young people, pensioners and others on modest incomes getting involved in philanthropy," he said.
