Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
232. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a person volunteering with a group will receive funding under the European Solidarity Corps; if this funding falls under an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72736/25]
View answerThe European Solidarity Corps funds and supports young people aged between 18 and 30 from EU member states, to volunteer or self-organise projects that benefit communities. Young people can volunteer at home or abroad, through the Volunteering Projects and Solidarity Projects strands. A legal resident of the Republic of Ireland, aged between 18 and 30 years, can take part either as an individual volunteer or as part of a volunteering team.
An individual volunteer can contribute to the daily work of organisations that benefit the community and can volunteer for between two and 12 months. However, to assist young people with fewer opportunities take part, in some cases it is permissible to volunteer for between two weeks and two months.
A person who volunteers as part of a team, can volunteer with participants from at least two different countries, for between two weeks and two months.
Funding is available for return travel costs from volunteers/participants’ homes to the place they will learn or train, for inclusion support to enable people with fewer opportunities to take part, for pocket money as a contribution to additional personal expenses for participants and for language learning support, including learning materials and training, where needed.
Organisations wishing to take part in the European Solidarity Corps must hold a valid Quality Label. The Quality Label is the quality framework by which the organisations will support volunteers. Once granted the Quality Label, organisations then apply for funding to the National Agency in their country to host an individual volunteer or a team of volunteers.
Léargas is the National Authority responsible for the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes in Ireland.
