asked the Minister for External Affairs in what way the Irish Government contribute towards sending voluntary workers out to developing countries; if any contributions are made, what they are in relation to (1) grants, (2) social security, (3) grants towards leave taken overseas, (4) payment of transport costs, (5) tax rebates and (6) subsidies to the non-governmental organisations towards training or travel expenses; if no contributions are made at present, whether the Government plan to provide them in the future; and if limited contributions are made, if there are any plans to expand them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Contribution to Developing Countries.
3.
Civil servants, teachers and employees of semi-State bodies and of local authorities wishing to serve in developing countries are facilitated by the granting of special leave and by the protection of their superannuation rights.
In answer to the second part of the Deputy's question, the Government recognise Ireland's obligation to assist the developing countries in line with our growing economic capacity to do so. The question of how the Government can most appropriately help the developing countries is being kept under review. In this connection it should be realised that the Government's aid to developing countries is mainly in the form of contributions to international agencies and in the assistance given for the education and training in Ireland of persons from developing countries.