asked the Minister for Social Welfare when the Government intends implementing the EC Recommendations on social security for volunteer development workers which was submitted by the Commission to the Council of Europe on 12 December 1984, thus providing health care; sickness benefit — maternity benefits — invalidity benefits — old age benefits and survivors' benefits.
Written Answers. - Volunteer Development Workers.
499.
The draft EC Recommendation on Social Security for Volunteer Development Workers is still under discussion by the working party on social questions and has not yet been adopted by the Council of the European Communities.
However, the Deputy will recall that the Minister for Finance in his Budget Speech on 30 January last announced that the Government wish to ensure that the social insurance position of volunteer development workers will be safeguarded during their absence abroad in developing countries. In this context regulations will shortly be made which will afford such workers continuity of social insurance cover and will thus continue their entitlement to the various social insurance benefits on their return to this country. These regulations will take into account the principles enshrined in the draft EC Recommendation.
The provisions in the draft recommendation relating to the availability of health care to volunteer development workers have not yet been finalised. The question of the provision of health care to such workers will be examined in the light of the recommendation as adopted by council.