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Media Release: Minister Joe O’Brien, T.D. launches monitoring report on the application of the ‘Values and Principles’ in engagements with the Community and Voluntary Sector by Government Departments and Agencies

Minister Joe O’Brien, T.D. launches monitoring report on the application of the ‘Values and Principles’ in engagements with the Community and Voluntary Sector by Government Departments and Agencies

  • Provides a comprehensive summary of implementation of the Values and Principles across all Government Departments
  • Monitoring Report will be presented at the forthcoming Civic Forum, taking place on December 4th in Dublin Castle
  • Report delivers on commitment in Ireland’s Fourth Open Government Partnership National Action Plan (NAP) 2023 – 2025

The Minister for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, T.D., has today, Wednesday, 06 November, officially published the Monitoring Report on the application of the ‘Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector’ by Government Departments and Agencies.

Undertaken within the framework of the government’s five year strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland 2019 – 2024, Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector were agreed by Government and adopted on a whole of government basis in May 2022.

These values and principles provide a foundation for all consultation, collaboration and partnership working between those in the community and voluntary sector and Government Departments, Local Government and agencies of the State.

This report has been prepared by the Department of Rural and Community Development following feedback from attendees at last year’s Civic Forum. The report will be presented at this year’s Civic Forum taking place in Dublin Castle on December 4th next.  Its publication also fulfils a commitment in Ireland’s Fourth Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 2023 – 2025 to monitor implementation by all Government Departments on the use of the Values and Principles.

This report provides a comprehensive summary of the recognition and ongoing implementation of the Values and Principles by all Government Departments. It acts as a basis for all interactions between central government, as well as state bodies, for engaging and collaborative working with the community and voluntary sector.

The publication of the monitoring report, and continued hosting of the National Civic Forum, fulfils commitments in Ireland’s Fourth Open Government Partnership (OGP) National Action Plan 2023-2025 under the theme, “Engage more fully and more effectively with citizens about policies and plans that are going to affect their lives.”

The monitoring report is available on the Department’s website here.

Speaking today, Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“I am delighted to officially launch the monitoring report on the application of the Values and Principles for Collaboration and Partnership Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector by Government Departments and Agencies undertaken by my Department, and in consultation with all Government Departments and bodies under their aegis.

In order to maintain momentum in relation to the application of the Values and Principles, I had written to all Ministerial colleagues requesting Government Departments, including bodies under their aegis, to provide a return demonstrating evidence of their use of the Values and Principles.

I welcome the recognition of the Values & Principles across Government departments and examples of engagement and collaborative working between the public sector and community and voluntary sectors, demonstrated in this report.

This government greatly values the role played by the community and voluntary sector in the provision of services to all in our communities and this report demonstrates the levels of engagement that the sector has with Government across formulation and implementation of policy.

Going forward, and to maintain best practice in this area, it will be the responsibility of all departments, on a whole-of-Government basis, to ensure that the Values and Principles will be applied in a coherent and meaningful manner and reflected throughout all goals, objectives and actions in Statements of Strategy, as a basis for all interactions with the community and voluntary sector.”

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