Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the Government has considered allowing local authority staff, with specific skills that may be of assistance to the Asia relief effort, volunteer for work in Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2653/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In 1997, the Government established the rapid response register of experienced persons willing to make themselves available at short notice to meet the personnel needs of Irish and international humanitarian agencies working in crisis situations. The register operates under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs' volunteer 21 programme.

Under existing arrangements, suitably qualified local authority personnel wishing to undertake overseas development work and personnel selected for inclusion on the rapid response register may be granted special leave of absence with or without pay. Such leave may be granted subject to the requirements of the local authority concerned for a period or periods up to five years in total. Staff released for humanitarian emergencies may be replaced on a temporary basis for the duration of such special leave.

Following the recent events in Asia, it appears there is scope for considering an enhancement of arrangements to permit the local government sector to contribute more actively to civilian crisis response capability. I intend that my Department should liaise with the relevant Departments and agencies in this regard.