Healy Eames paid costs for voluntary Rwanda work trip

FINE GAEL Senator Fidelma Healy Eames has reimbursed a charity for all private costs she and her husband incurred on a placement in Rwanda, according to the organisation involved.

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), which places skilled volunteers in developing countries, said Ms Healy Eames and her husband, Michael Eames, extended a trip to east Africa at their own expense.

The Senator travelled to Rwanda recently with the VSO’s Politicians for Development Programme. Ms Healy Eames said she spent the week working as a “political volunteer” in the Rwandan ministry of education, where she advised on early childhood education and special-needs education policies. “It was a good week’s work,” she said. “The needs of the particular placement suited my educational experience and this, coupled with my political experience, was what they needed.”

Ms Healy Eames describes herself as a former “college lecturer in teacher education” who holds BEd, MSc and PhD degrees.

According to executive director of VSO Ireland Malcolm Quigley, Ms Healy Eames was asked to volunteer for the trip after the Rwandan ministry of education requested a volunteer with educational and political expertise.

“The Eameses extended their time in east Africa at their own expense. For logistical ease, and for cost control purposes, VSO arranged all flights in advance. The non-programme elements of the placement have been fully reimbursed to VSO,” he said.

He said the VSO covered the costs of the trip solely related to the placement and in the pursuit of the aims of the charity. No special arrangements were put in place, he added.

“Senator Healy Eames has fully reimbursed VSO for all private costs incurred by her and her husband during the course of this placement. Mr Michael Eames has paid for all costs related to his accompaniment of his wife to Rwanda and his participation has not cost the charity.”

Mr Quigley added Mr Eames also worked voluntarily on part of the trip. Other Irish politicians who have participated in the scheme include Minister for Sport Leo Varadkar and Minister of State Seán Sherlock.