20/05/2002
Dodds reveals ‘significant’ changes for voluntary sector
The Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds MP MLA, has announced the launch of the Voluntary and Community Unit, which represents a change of name and a new remit for what was previously known as the Voluntary Activity Unit.
Speaking at a reception in Parliament Buildings, Mr Dodds said: “This is not just a cosmetic exercise but reflects a significant and planned shift in the department’s work to reflect the changing demands of government to benefit from and support the work of the voluntary sector.”
The minister went on to say that as the sector employs more than 30,000 people and has an annual income of £657 million and it “must be treated as a invaluable resource”. Therefore, Mr Dodds added, the voluntary and community sector should be supported in playing its “vital role in building stronger communities”.
He concluded: “This area has been responsible for many innovative and challenging developments in service delivery, it is not afraid to challenge us in government when we are getting it wrong and it engages with virtually every area of government responsibility.”
The name change resulted from an independent review, which identified the need for work across government departments to implement policies to help sustain the sector.
The minister pledged to follow up the new proposals with a survey of how the sector is doing during the next year.
(GMcG)
Speaking at a reception in Parliament Buildings, Mr Dodds said: “This is not just a cosmetic exercise but reflects a significant and planned shift in the department’s work to reflect the changing demands of government to benefit from and support the work of the voluntary sector.”
The minister went on to say that as the sector employs more than 30,000 people and has an annual income of £657 million and it “must be treated as a invaluable resource”. Therefore, Mr Dodds added, the voluntary and community sector should be supported in playing its “vital role in building stronger communities”.
He concluded: “This area has been responsible for many innovative and challenging developments in service delivery, it is not afraid to challenge us in government when we are getting it wrong and it engages with virtually every area of government responsibility.”
The name change resulted from an independent review, which identified the need for work across government departments to implement policies to help sustain the sector.
The minister pledged to follow up the new proposals with a survey of how the sector is doing during the next year.
(GMcG)
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