asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the position in regard to leave of absence and pension rights etc., for those wishing to devote a period of time as volunteers in the Third World.

Civil Servants who wish to devote a period of time as volunteers in the Third World have the choice of special leave without pay or special leave with pay subject to the recoupment of pay plus full superannuation contributions. Similar arrangements are possible for people in the public sector other than civil servants.

The granting of leave of absence in similar circumstances to somebody in the private sector is a matter for arrangement between the individual and his or her employer. There is already a general provision in the Social Welfare Acts whereby persons who have acquired pension rights under the social insurance system and cease to be insurably employed may protect those rights by becoming voluntary contributors.

What is the position of somebody employed as a teacher in a voluntary school? Is any encouragement given to voluntary schools to allow leave of absence, and would pension rights be protected as far as possible?

Pension rights are protected. I have found the voluntary schools very co-operative in releasing teachers in the circumstances mentioned by the Deputy.