COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 17, 2016

QUESTION NO.18

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm his continued efforts to promote Volunteerism throughout our county and in reporting will he outline initiatives being taken in that regard.

REPLY:

Volunteerism is promoted and encouraged on an ongoing basis through environmental projects, initiatives, campaign, workshops and grants that engage with people encouraging them to come together to exam their environmental actions and the impact they have on South Dublin County.

Social Credit Scheme : The social credits (SCS) rewards community groups and individuals who take ownership of their environment and improve their local area by carrying out pro-environmental actions such as community clean-ups, maintenance of community gardens, graffiti removal and weeding of footpaths.

The programme has continued to grow over the years with numbers of applicants increase year on year. In 2015 over 2350 applications were received and assistance provided through the Social Credit Scheme. From January to July 2016 1,523 applications have been received and assistance provided through the scheme.

EWCC also supports the PURE Project, Pride of Place, and the Endeavour awards all of which encourage people to work together to protect their environment, and engage in sustainable environmental practices.

Allotments: The Council provides c 425 allotments at four (4) locations throughout the county and the demand for these has increased significantly in the recent years, particularly during the downturn in the economy.

The allotment sites have a range of facilities including fencing and gates, piped water supplies, toilets, car parking and storage containers and the Council encourages relatives of those with allotments to volunteer and assist with working them.   Similarly, the Council supports and assists groups such as the South Dublin Allotment Association with their endeavours to promote the concept of self-sufficiency, carbon efficiency and health and community spirit, and the Council is keen to encourage simicontinued participation and promotion now that we are coming out of the recession.  In 2016 the Council, in collaboration with South Dublin Allotment Association, launched a very successful family day.

South Dublin County Council supports the work of South Dublin County Volunteer Centre and the South Dublin Public Participation Network. The forthcoming South Dublin Local Economic and Community Plan 2016-2021 (LECP) includes several actions to continue this support of volunteerism, including a volunteer awards scheme, a support forum for organisations using volunteers and a volunteer credit scheme for students attending I.T. Tallaght.

In addition a range of grants and other supports are provided to community and voluntary groups across the County, including the 2015 Community Initiative Fund and the Community Endeavour Awards which are two major new initiatives that bring awareness and acknowledges volunteerism.