Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 14: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his position towards the upcoming UN General Assembly special session on HIV and AIDS; and the action Ireland will take to combat the global perception that the focus on HIV and AIDS is waning. [13738/11]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amounts spent by Irish Aid in the years 2006 to 2010 on programmes aimed at preventing the spread of the HIV virus, treating persons infected by the virus, supporting persons and communities affected by AIDS and supporting universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support; the amount of that expenditure that was channelled through international organisations, Irish non-governmental organisations and bilateral Government to Government programmes respectively. [13740/11]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way he has implemented the initiative announced in 2006 by the then Taoiseach, former Deputy Bertie Ahern, pledging that Ireland would increase spending on HIV and other communicable diseases to at least €100 million per year with 20% of these resources to be spent on programmes that benefit children. [13739/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the developed international community is combatting AIDS in Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14088/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 25, 26 and 50 together.

This year marks thirty years of the global AIDS epidemic. Addressing HIV and AIDS, which has destroyed the lives of millions of men, women and children, is of fundamental importance to the reduction of global poverty. AIDS remains a leading cause of death in many developing countries. Over 22 million people in sub Saharan Africa are infected with HIV.

At the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV and AIDS in New York next week, Ireland will urge the UN to continue to lead efforts to ensure that resources are spent effectively. This means an end to the duplication of effort, a strengthening of coordination on the ground, a trustworthy system of monitoring and evaluation and a single-minded focus by all on achieving results. We will urge all global partners to work closely with national Governments and local and international NGOs to strengthen national responses to HIV and ensure that limited resources reach as many people in need as possible. This will maximise value for money in health, HIV and nutrition programmes.

Since women are most affected by the HIV pandemic, and since they are also traditionally responsible for food security in the household, Ireland is calling for increased attention to protecting women. Women are already suffering disproportionately during the current food, fuel and climate crises. These issues lie at the heart of the Irish response.

Global financial commitment to fighting HIV and AIDS has increased steadily from about one billion US dollars in 2000 to an estimated 16 billion dollars in 2011. This is an enormous increase. Recent data from the UNAIDS World Report shows that international efforts are succeeding and that global HIV infection and death rates are now declining. Ireland's financial commitment to support the fight against HIV and AIDS is being maintained despite the hugely challenging economic difficulties we are currently facing. This year we estimate that we will spend approximately €100 million on HIV and AIDs and other communicable diseases as pledged at the UN General Assembly. Since 2006 we have expended approximately €695 million addressing HIV and AIDS and other communicable diseases. I am making a table available with this reply which outlines the division of expenditure.

As the HIV and AIDS pandemic has progressed, our aid programme, Irish Aid, has consolidated and streamlined our efforts by focussing and prioritising more and ensuring that we achieve maximum value for money. It has also exploited opportunities to create connections with other priorities such as addressing hunger and under-nutrition. We use a mix of aid delivery channels for our assistance - including support directly to International Organisations, NGOs and governments. Although we advocate for increased focus on effective prevention in a comprehensive and balanced programme, it is not possible to accurately estimate the relative share that goes to prevention, treatment, care and support respectively as all these aspects are inter-connected and inter-dependent.

Children affected by HIV and AIDS remain an explicit priority for Irish Aid. Ireland recognises that a supportive environment is crucial in this regard, with a focus on the household and culturally appropriate social protection networks. School and education protect children from HIV – and education for all, another explicit policy priority for Irish Aid, is thus an essential element of a comprehensive response to HIV prevention.

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV is a proven cost-effective intervention strongly supported by Ireland through UN organisations, the Global Fund and the Clinton Foundation, as is follow-up care and treatment if required. Adequate nutrition for mothers with HIV is crucial not only for birth outcomes, but also to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV. To this effect, Ireland is the first country to support a programme in Mozambique with €1.2 million to improve nutrition for pregnant and lactating women with HIV. Investments benefiting children well exceed 20% of total Government spend on HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases.

AIDS remains a leading cause of death in Africa. Progress has been made but much remains to be done. Ireland is playing its part. For Ireland addressing HIV/AIDS is fundamental to our stated aim of poverty reduction and human development.

Over the last 20 years the international community has come together to fight HIV and AIDS. It has been a long and difficult road and now many indicators of success are becoming apparent. There are more funds flowing into Africa to fight the epidemic than ever before. Coordination and focus is much improved. Treatment is now at 40% which is up from 1% only 10 years ago. Much remains to be done but we are on the right road and Ireland will continue to play its part.