Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2018
9. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the purpose of her recent visit to Brussels; and the way in which the European Solidarity Corps will operate in an Irish context. [52443/18]
View answerThe purpose of my trip to Brussels on 26 November 2018 was to attend the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council. The Council of Ministers with responsibility for youth policy in each Member State meet twice a year towards the end of each presidency.
Among the issues discussed at the Council was the European Solidarity Corps which brings a number of opportunities for young people to enhance their personal, educational, social and civic development. It is made up of two strands, the volunteering strand and occupational strand.
The volunteering strand consists of a full-time voluntary unpaid solidarity activity for a period from 2 to 12 months. It gives young people the chance to take part in the daily work of organisations.
Activities can take place either in a country other than the country of residence of the participant (cross-border) or in the country of residence of the participant (in-country).
In the occupational strand, traineeships and jobs provide young people with opportunities for work practice or employment, helping them to enhance their skills and experience thus facilitating their employability and transition into the labour market.
Full-time learning and work practice of between 2 to 6 months is remunerated by the organisation responsible for the traineeship of the Corps participant.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I am excited about the opportunities for Irish young people that the European Solidarity Corps will open up and I welcome the fact that the European Solidarity Corps gives special attention to young people with fewer opportunities as Irish youth policy is particularly concerned with inclusion.
