Sorca Clarke
Question:23. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department will consider introducing a foreign travel advice warning of the harm caused by orphanage volunteering. [46516/24]
View answerWednesday, 22 January 2025
Questions (23)
Written answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs, via TravelWise, the department’s travel advice service, publishes advice online for outward travel in over 200 countries. The advice provides an objective assessment of the risks individuals could face if travelling, whether by air or other modes of transport, working, or living overseas, with a view to helping Irish citizens make informed decisions for themselves.
The Department's travel advice is based on consultation with our Embassies and Consulates on the ground, the relevant local authorities in each country, our international partners, and our domestic partners, where appropriate.
Regarding volunteering overseas, the Department of Foreign Affairs has a long-standing strategic partnership with Comhlámh, the Irish association of development workers and volunteers. An important feature of this partnership is the provision of travel advice by my Department via TravelWise on volunteering, including on the subject of volunteering in or visiting orphanages. This advice can be found at Backpacking, Volunteering And Adventure Tourism | Travel | Department of Foreign Affairs | Ireland.ie | Ireland.ie
It should be noted that our Travel Advice remains under regular review. Any change will be notified through my Department's website at www.dfa.ie/travel