I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.
An integral part of Government policy in regard to development co-operation is to encourage and facilitate as far as possible the participation of Irish individuals and organisations with relevant expertise and experience in development work in the Third World. In this context, the various issues involved in protecting the interests of development workers are kept under continuing review.
Where public service employees are assigned overseas as development workers, the period of assignment is reckonable for superannuation purposes under a scheme for the purchase of notional service at actuarial cost. Such provisions apply generally to bilateral aid personnel and to development workers funded by the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, a semi-State body under the aegis of my Department. Applications in respect of development workers assigned by other sending agencies are also considered by APSO.
With regard to social welfare, the provisions of the pay-related social insurance scheme are currently applied to assignments under the Government's bilateral aid programme and to assignments directly funded by the Agency for Personal Service Overseas.
With regard to the question of the social security entitlements of volunteer development workers, this matter is being pursued at both national and European Community levels. It is understood that a draft Community instrument on the subject is being finalised at present. As soon as it has been published, the Minister for Labour intends to add it to the work programme in the social affairs area with a view to having its processing begun during the Irish presidency.
544.