National Volunteering Strategy: Statements
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-24
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Mark Daly (CC), Administrative Panel

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus le gach Seanadóir. It is important that a debate on volunteerism takes place in Seanad Éireann in light of the fact that it is nearly 20 years since the publication of the book Bowling Alone about how people are getting more isolated in a world that has so much connection online that in the real world people are not going out and helping others which obviously benefits society but also benefits the individuals involved in it. Bowling Alone described how America was changing with people no longer involved in different organisations, many of them voluntary but also helping those in their own community. People literally did not even have somebody to go bowling with; that was how isolated people were getting. Now, 20 years later we see a lot of that in Ireland where people are connected online but not connected. Volunteerism is a great way of doing this. It is nearly 20 years since the task force on active citizenship. A lot of those recommendations could be looked at again in terms of how we can help society by helping each other and people volunteering. That is a big part. I again thank the Minister of State and everybody for participating.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:41+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-24