– Ivan Cooper, Director of Public Policy
Here is a quick overview of some recent developments affecting the sector and the work we have been doing to advance the issues.
Firstly, The Wheel has warmly welcomed the appointment of Minister Michael Ring and Minister of State Sean Kyne to the new Department of Rural and Community Development (the name of the department is yet to be finalised). This new department answers the call that The Wheel made in the run-up to the last general election for cabinet-level representation for the Community and Voluntary Sector and we believe that this development recognises the sector’s importance in national life and holds great potential to transform the funding, regulatory and reporting environment we are all working in. We are looking forward to working with Minister Ring and Minister Kyne in advancing the many issues our sector faces and I would like to thank all members of The Wheel for playing their part in creating the conditions for this development.
We understand that the Community Division in the current Department of Housing will be moving across to this new department – as will the Cross Sectoral Working Group on Local and Community Development already working to develop the strategy to support the community and voluntary sector that is committed to in the Programme for Government (once again as a result of the campaigning work by The Wheel and its members in the run-up to the election). The Wheel is represented on this Cross-Sectoral Group and I can report that all of the major issues facing the sector (the need to get commissioning right; for multi-annual funding; to reduce the regulatory and reporting burden; etc) have been identified by that group – and we are working hard to ensure that initiatives are identified to address these issues. The group will be producing a 5-year strategy and the Government aims to publish the strategy early next year.
Charities Regulator
Everyone associated with the charity sector in Ireland knows how important good governance is – and how vital it is for maintaining public trust and confidence. In this regard The Charities Regulator has convened a Consultative Panel on Governance to agree what the Regulator can do to support best governance practice in charities – and once again I can report that The Wheel is representing the sector on this panel – and that we are confident of identifying the most appropriate actions that the Regulator can take to support good governance in charities. We will be working hard to ensure a balance is struck between the need to maintain public trust and confidence and the need to ensure that that the autonomy and independence of charities is respected and supported. Additionally, we have been working as a member of the Charity Regulator’s Consultative Panel on Fundraising and that work will be concluding shortly with the panel’s recommendations about what’s needed to ensure fundraising practice is regulated most effectively.
GDPR
Most organisations will be aware I am sure of the approaching deadline (25 May 2018) for the commencement of the General Data Protection Regulation – which will have big implications for all community, voluntary and charity organisations that manage personal date (like databases of contacts, supporters, donors etc). We have been running training events for our members to raise awareness of what charities need to do to comply – and we are also in contact with the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that everything necessary is done to support charities in the transition to the new regime. The GDPR will have profound implications for all charities – so I would like to take this opportunity to urge you to ensure that your organisation is aware of the new requirements and that you give yourselves plenty of time to prepare. Visit wheel.ie to see more training opportunities coming up.
Commissioning
Organisations that are funded by Tusla will be aware the body is advanced in its process of transitioning to a commissioning model for funding services (not competitive tendering I hasten to add!) and we are continuing as a member of the Tusla Advisory Group on Commissioning, working to ensure that the added value that community and voluntary organisations contribute to services is appreciated in Tusla processes and that Tusla supports charities in their work under the new commissioning regime. Join The Wheel’s Tusla Network (open to members of The Wheel only).
HSE Funded organisations
The Wheel has also established a Network for HSE Funded organisations and that network will be meeting on 12 July to consider the implications of a letter that HSE sent to its funded organisations about issues that have emerged in HSE audits. If you are funded by the HSE, and if you are a member of The Wheel, then this network is definitely for you and I’d strongly encourage you to register for the event.
National Economic Dialogue
The Wheel participated in the National Economic Dialogue on 28 and 29 June and drew attention to the work that Ireland’s 19,000 nonprofits do to sustain our communities, the massive €5 Billion contribution they make to the cost of our public services annually, and the importance of ensuring that funding and commissioning arrangements value and take into account the huge financial and non-financial contribution that the sector makes in Ireland even year. We called for future commissioning processes to take this contribution into full account, and for Budget 2018 to prioritise investment in services over tax cuts.
Annual Conference
Finally, The Wheel’s Annual Conference last week was attended by over 400 people from the community and voluntary sector in Ireland – and there was lively discussion and debate on all the key issues facing the sector – who is responsible for maintaining trust and confidence – the sector or the regulator? What should be in a strategy to support the community and voluntary sector? What is the sector’s role in advocating the issues in this post-truth era? We have recorded many of the conference sessions and they are available on our Youtube channel and I would encourage you to review the sessions. Minister Sean Kyne addressed the conference and spoke appreciatively about the sector’s role and the importance of the work that it does: encouraging signs for the forthcoming work of the new Department.
We also launched our new Strategic Plan at the conference and unveiled our new visual identity with a simple message: Stronger Charities. Stronger Communities.
A Voice for the Sector
I am sure you will agree that engaging with the public is more important than ever for the community, voluntary and charity sector – we must more effectively tell the story of the work the sector does and the huge contribution we make to society and to the economy (150,000 paid staff, over €10 billion a year turnover!). So I am happy to report that The Wheel received some great coverage for the sector and its work in the context of the conference – read the Sunday Business Post’s special report on the sector.
I have also published some recent blogs on governance in the sector and the roles that we all to play in a thriving community and voluntary sector which I hope you will find interesting and informative.
As you can see – there is a great deal of work that we are engaged in on our member’s behalf – and if you would like to learn more about this work, or indeed become more closely involved, please email me. The sector is currently experiencing the most dynamic period it in our history – there are great challenges presenting – but also great opportunities to ensure our sector takes its rightful place at the heart of Irish society working towards our vision of a fair and just Ireland for all.
We are working hard to ensure that our sector benefits from all the opportunities that are currently presenting themselves.
Follow us on Twitter to learn more about our advocacy work.
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