- The Committee would like to draw upon the broad principles of the voluntary and community sector and carry out its own work on the detail of the implementation of Compact on the ground. As European funding will disappear in 5 to 6 years' time, there needs to be sustainable development of the local schemes after that time.
- The Minister welcomes the fact that the Committee wants to take the issue on board and is aware of the considerable interest among its members. The issue of European funding is a critical area and the Department intends to have a presentation on the voluntary/community sector shortly.
- There is a need to look at the institutional mechanisms that will support Compact's implementation on the ground -for example, secondments from the Dept. to the community/voluntary sector and vice versa have worked well in the past. Will there be a relationship with the Civic Forum in this area?
- The institutional mechanisms are of course important in the next stage of preparing sectoral strategies. The "How" is the detail but we need to move generally first. Work was ongoing on Compact before the concept of the Civic Forum so it has developed independently, but the work of the Forum will impinge on this area.
- We need to ensure that all groups are incorporated under any proposals. The Compact document does not highlight and recognise the special role that community groups have played in view of "the Troubles".
- Yes, at a very broad level there needs to be an over-arching framework for all. As the Compact document was drawn up with full consultation with community and voluntary groups, I would take issue with the assertion that it does not acknowledge their contribution, especially in view of what is stated in para. 2.3. The document was broadly endorsed by the sector.
- What is the timescale for its implementation?
- It cannot be progressed until the broad principles are agreed but, thereafter, the sooner the better. When the Committee gives its decision, the Department will move quickly in terms of strategy.
- Under the present political circumstances, how will Compact be progressed: will it go into cold storage?
- These are unchartered waters but, since it has been on the scene since December 1998, it can be assumed that it will simply sit there indefinitely in the meantime.
Social Development Minutes 03 February 2000