Task force to urge people towards voluntary work

THE Government is to establish a special task force to examine ways to encourage more people to become actively involved in voluntary and community work.

The initiative was announced by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at a conference in Dublin yesterday, who said the “task force on active citizenship” would aim to build on Ireland’s reputation as a generous society.

Speaking at a conference on the future of the community and voluntary sector organised by The Wheel - the representative body of such organisations - the Taoiseach said the task force would advise the Government on what steps need to be taken to increase participation in such work.