Minister Kehoe launches the Irish Red Cross' Annual Report

Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Paul Kehoe, T.D., today officially launched the Irish Red Cross Annual Report for 2016 at the Irish Red Cross shop in Newbridge.

The Report details that in 2016, the Irish Red Cross administered €6.5 million on charitable activities, through a range of programmes in the areas of resilience, emergency response and recovery and health and social care. The Irish Red Cross also managed a scheme on behalf of the Government to distribute a fund of €5 million to small businesses, community, voluntary and sporting bodies who were flooded during the storms in late 2015 and early 2016, but could not obtain flood insurance.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Kehoe said: “The work of the Irish Red Cross is only possible because of the extensive and very committed network of volunteers. With almost 4,000 volunteers throughout the country, the Red Cross is deeply rooted in local communities nationwide and draws its members from all walks of life. The dedication and commitment given by volunteers to charitable organisations should never be taken for granted. I have the utmost admiration and respect for people who devote their time to their local communities.”

In addressing members of the Irish Red Cross the Minister singled out specific examples from the report in particular the partnership between the Irish Red Cross, the Irish Prison Service and the Education and Training Boards on the Community Based Health & First-Aid Programme in prisons. Minister Kehoe said: “There has been a lot of very positive feedback on this scheme which I understand now covers all prisons nationally, building confidence and personal capacities among prisoners. Ireland was the first country to introduce this particular scheme in a prison setting and its success has been noted and adopted in other countries.”

Before concluding the Minister paid tribute to the staff and volunteers whose work is highlighted in the Annual Report, saying: “It is a reflection of their daily commitment to providing humanitarian assistance at home and abroad, making a real difference to people’s lives”.

ENDS