The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O'Keeffe TD, has said he sees a greater role for volunteerism and active citizenship in the classroom.

Speaking at a lecture entitled 'The Royal Gunpowder Mills in Ballincollig: A Site of International Importance in Oriel House Hotel, Ballincollig, Minister O'Keeffe said he would like to see volunteers bringing their expertise and experience into the classroom where they can imbue school-children with a greater appreciation of the importance of active citizenship in building the fabric of communities across the country.

Minister O'Keeffe said Frank Donaldson, who attended the lecture and has freely given many hours of his time on the future conservation and preservation of the Royal Gunpowder Mills, 'exemplified a sense of volunteerism and active citizenship that should be an example to all of us'.

Minister O'Keeffe said: "It's heartening to see that the spirit of volunteerism is alive and well in modern Ireland.

"So many of our sporting heroes, for example, whose endeavours and commitment do not often receive attention, give their time and energy to sports clubs the length and breadth of the country.

"Indeed, the ESRI estimates that 400,000 adults give over 900,000 hours of voluntary work to sports clubs every week.

"This is a great tribute to Irish people and highlights yet again the Irish spirit of generosity.

"These volunteers coach individuals and teams of all ages, prepare pitches, run competitions, organise fundraising events, transport players, and undertake all the other tasks that are essential to the smooth operation of sports.

"To a great extent, their contribution is often invisible but without their selfless dedication week-in week-out, society, especially sport, would be a poorer place.

"These individuals seek no financial reimbursement. Rather, they simply do this for the love of their sport and of their communities.

"As Minister for Education and Science, I would like to see our volunteers bringing their expertise and experience into the classroom where they can imbue school-children with a greater appreciation of active citizenship in building the fabric of communities across the country.

"That sense of volunteerism that binds communities together should not confine itself to the sports field or the youth club but rather should seek to embrace every facet of Irish life.

"Schools are a unique forum where the instinct to volunteer can be instilled in our young people so that they grow into adults with a mature sense of what it is to be an active citizen in the community.

"I hope that we can foster that concept of volunteerism in the classroom and that our heroes from sport, the arts, heritage and all other walks of life can become the new ambassadors of active citizenship as we continue to build an island of inter-connected communities working in partnership for the common good."

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