Volunteer Development Worker Scheme
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
A person is classified as a Volunteer Development Worker (VDW) if they are working temporarily outside Ireland in a developing country and their work has been arranged through Irish Aid.
Volunteer Development Workers who go abroad to work in developing countries are exempt from paying Social Insurance contributions while abroad.
They are awarded credited contributions for the duration of their absence, up to an aggregate of 5 years. For more information click here.
To qualify to be a Volunteer Development Worker, you must be:
The work should be arranged through:
Comhlámh, on behalf of Irish Aid, verifies the credentials of the Sending Agency and verifies that a VDW is working overseas on “Volunteer Terms”.
Following that validation process, Comhlámh contacts the Special Collection Section and the period of assignment is noted.
Note: Members of religious orders whose work involves pastoral duties do not qualify for this scheme.
To apply, complete the form below:
Volunteer Development Worker Scheme (VOL DEV 1)
Application from for Volunteer Development Worker Scheme
DownloadVolunteer Development Worker Scheme Booklet (SW15)
Your guide to The Volunteer Development Worker Scheme (August 2020)
DownloadSend the completed form to:
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