A special volunteer tax credit should be introduced to encourage and reward people who give up their time to assist the needy in society, the Green Party has said.
The Green Party launched its policy for supporting and acknowledging voluntary activity in Cork yesterday. Members of the party accused the Government of putting obstacles in the way of people who wished to help the less fortunate in society.
Green Party spokesman for community and rural affairs Dan Boyle TD said it was time for more funding and better structures to be put in place to get people involved in unpaid work.
"We are making proposals in relation to a special volunteer tax credit. We are making a proposal that people engaged in voluntary activity should qualify for an additional week's paid holiday if they use some of their holiday time for voluntary work."
He added: "Our policy proposals aim to lift possible barriers to participation by offering incentives and recognition - such as a refundable tax credit for valid voluntary work, career break entitlements and academic accreditation for skills developed."
The Green Party also proposes the expansion of local volunteer centres nationwide and better promotion of volunteering in primary, secondary and third level educational programmes.
Community volunteer and Green Party Cork North West representative Ted Lucey said there was a need for a coherent and strategic policy on volunteering. Green Party Cork South West representative Bernadette Connolly said existing relations between voluntary organisations and the State were insufficient.
"These organisations fill vital gaps in the provision of social services," she said.