Shane Ross (Independent)

I have been approached by a constituent who has availed of extra personal vacation, EPV, days abroad and is faced with the prospect of no longer being allowed to avail of them. The Minister of State will be well aware of the purpose of EPV days, which is to give teachers the chance to attend courses in order to gain skills which can then be used for educational benefit. Teachers can go back to school with an additional string to their bow or further education of some sort, which can then be of benefit to the pupils they teach. It seems the priorities of the Government in terms of overseas aid or helping people overseas are being downgraded. I will not comment, because I do not think it is appropriate in this debate, on the decision to reduce overseas aid in the package announced on Tuesday. This decision to remove qualification for EPV days from teachers engaged in voluntary work abroad is consistent with the decision on overseas aid. It means the Government has downgraded its commitment to those who are under-privileged and under-educated overseas. That is deeply regrettable. This country has a proud record not only in terms of overseas aid but also in acknowledging it in other ways, such as this system for teachers going overseas. My understanding is that it has been removed from not just the approved list but also the unapproved list.

The constituent to whom I spoke, who has been to Uganda and used the EPV days, said the experience was invaluable. Several of her friends who are also teachers had also used the privilege of EPV days on their return to Ireland. She said it had been invaluable to both her and her pupils. It is a situation where both sides win. The pupils in this country gain advantage from the extra knowledge the teacher has gained while pupils in Uganda gain some education and benefit from the teacher going to that country.

I cannot understand why this item has been removed from the list. It is a well trodden course by several teachers. The Minister can correct me if I am wrong but I understand that 200 teachers availed of EPV days in 2008 and 69 used them for voluntary work abroad. This cut will affect the large number of people who used them in the past. I appeal to the Minister to review this apparent withdrawal so all the parties involved can benefit.