Social Insurance

This page provides information about the Volunteer Development Worker (VDW) PRSI Scheme which has been put in place by the Department of Social and Family Affairs to protect the social welfare rights of VDWs.  For those VDWs that do not qualify for the Scheme, this page also includes information about the Voluntary Contributions Scheme and being retained on the Irish system under National Legislation.   Please contact Stuart White (stuart@comhlamh.org) if you would like to talk to someone about these options.

Volunteer Development Worker PRSI Scheme

Comhlamh's role:

• to provide information on VDW scheme
• to process applications with sending agency
• process payment to DSFA, Special Collections Section
• post-return processing
• post- return advice and assistance to RDWs

A Volunteer Development Worker is:

• a person who is employed temporarily outside the State in a developing country and has secured such employment either
  - through a non government agency/charity in the state
  - Through government or non government agency in any Member State
  - Directly with the Government of a developing country
• and who is employed under conditions similar to local conditions applying in developing country.
• and who was resident in Ireland immediately prior to appointment

Benefits of the VDW PRSI Scheme

• VDW Credits can help you qualify for benefits and pensions
• Qualification conditions for certain benefits are relaxed for VDWs
• It is very important that you identify yourself to the Department as a returned VDW to ensure special conditions are applied and delays in processing benefit claims are avoided
• Unemployment Benefit
• Disability Benefit
• Maternity Benefit
• Treatment Benefit (Optical & Dental)

Note:

• VDW credits cannot be used to satisfy the first condition of qualification required for many benefits i.e. paid contributions
• e.g. For Unemployment Benefit, 52 contributions since starting work are required - VDW credits do not count

How to apply

• Both volunteer and sending agency complete PRSI 15 form PRIOR to leaving on assignment. Send PRSI 15 form to Comhlámh.
• Comhlámh validates form and notifies this office of assignment
• We check to ensure enough contributions paid

On Returning Home

• It is vital that either you or your sending agents notify Comhlámh of the date of return
• We depend on Comhlámh to notify us so the correct credits can be awarded at the correct time.
• Credits will not be awarded without Comhlámh notification

Remember
No VDW credits awarded
NO BENEFITS PAYABLE

Contacts for further information:

• In Comhlámh contact either Stuart White at 01-4783490 or stuart@comhlamh.org 
• Special Collections Section, DSFA - 051 - 356000
• Maternity Benefit Section - 1890 690 690
• Disability Benefit - 01 679 7777
• Treatment benefit - 1890 400 400 ext 44480
• Details on all schemes available at http://www.welfare.ie/

Salaried Development Workers

• A development worker who has earnings above the Community Employment threshold (€339 per week, €17,628 per annum) does not qualify for VDW scheme.
• It is extremely important for such a development worker to continue their social insurance contributions to allow them full entitlement to benefits as provided for in Social Welfare Acts.
• The options available are
  1) Voluntary Contributions scheme
  2) National Legislation : Article 98 of Statutory Instrument 312 of 1996

Further information can be received by contacting:
Special Collection Unit
Department of Social & Family Affairs
Cork Road, Waterford
e-mail: e101spc@welfare.ie
phone: 051 356000
http://www.welfare.ie/