Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on a policy (details supplied) in view of expenditure on staffing for foreign aid. [5423/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome suggestions in relation to overseas volunteering in support of the work of the Ireland's aid programme and of the development work of Irish NGOs and individuals. The interest in volunteering demonstrated by the Irish people in recent years is impressive, and encouraging. Currently, more than 3,000 Irish volunteers and development workers are working with development agencies and missionaries with the support of Irish Aid. Information and advice on volunteering opportunities is available through the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, which last year hosted 64 events related to volunteering. The website for the Centre is www.irishaid.gov.ie/centre .

It is important to recognise that volunteering in an overseas development context can be both challenging and demanding for all concerned. The challenges involved in establishing a volunteering scheme that simultaneously promotes local development and provides the volunteer with an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution should not be underestimated. In order to help organisations develop the capacity to address these issues, Irish Aid has supported the establishment of a Code of Practice for volunteering organisations, which promotes best practice in volunteering. It addresses training and induction needs as well as issues relating to cultural awareness, appropriate assignments, logistical support, transport and accommodation, health and safety, and monitoring, reporting and evaluation.

The Government is strongly committed to continuing to promote the development of the volunteering sector. In the current difficult economic context, all aspects of the aid programme are being examined in order to ensure that they contribute effectively to the overarching objective of poverty and hunger reduction in the developing world, and represent value for money. I can assure the Deputy that any new funding proposals will be fully assessed against these criteria.