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Citizenship and Public Service. A Major New Book for the Irish Community and Voluntary Sector
May, 00
Voluntary and Statutory Relationships
in Irish Healthcare
Published by The Adelaide Hospital Society in association with Dundalgan Press
Dundalk, May 2000
321 pages
Dr. Mary Redmond states in her Foreword to the book:
"Dr. O'Ferrall has initiated a most important debate in his book ... on the relationship between the voluntary sector and the State ... a very valuable book for the whole voluntary sector (as well as for all involved in healthcare)"
Citizenship and Public Service
presents a convincing political argument for voluntary action in a democratic society based upon active citizenship.
provides a critical analysis of 'partnership' and 'service planning' as applied to the community and voluntary sector.
demonstrates what is required for positive active partnerships between the voluntary sector and the State
explores in detail the literature on governance and management in the voluntary sector and provides a practical 'usable' theory for Boards of community and voluntary organisations, which are resource dependent on the State, which will preserve and develop the key attributes of a voluntary organisation.
presents a unique case study of the operation of the first Board of the new Hospital at Tallaght, 1996-1999 and its controversial relationships with the State.
shows how 'active citizenship' will lead to a reform of the State's approach to the community and voluntary sector.
This is a richly referenced book, which will give the confidence necessary to the community and voluntary sector to challenge the 'dependent' relationships created by the State to date. While the detailed focus is on one 'spoke', that of healthcare, it has direct relevance to all the 'spokes' which make up the rich diversity of the voluntary sector in The Wheel.
Please Note: All proceeds of Citizenship and Public Service have been dedicated by the Adelaide Hospital Society to The Wheel.
This book is available at Eason Ltd. bookshops nationwide. If you would like to order directly from us, Click here for our contact information.
About the Author
Dr. Fergus O'Ferrall has extensive practical experience of working in the Irish voluntary sector: he has been Chief Executive of Macra na Feirme, Director of the National Bible Society of Ireland and is currently Director of The Adelaide Hospital Society. He also worked for two years as a policy advisor in The Departments of Labour and Education. He has served as President of the National Youth Council of Ireland and on a range of other bodies, including The National Economic and Social Council. He is a member of the Irish Institute of Training and Development and is an Associate Faculty member of National College of Ireland.
He has served on the Board of the new Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Dublin Incorporating the National Children's Hospital and is currently Vice Chairman of the Board. He was awarded an M.Sc Degree in Health Services Management in 1999 in Trinity College for Citizenship and Public Service and has recently edited (with Kenneth Kearon) Medical Ethics and the Future of Healthcare (Columba Press, 2000).
Dr. O'Ferrall is also a historian and is author of Catholic Emancipation, Daniel O'Connell and the Birth of Irish Democracy 1820-1830 (Dublin, 1985) and the Gill's Irish Lives Daniel O'Connell published in 1981 and is a member of a number of historical societies.
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