Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 33: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in Nepal; the amount to be allocated in 2009 in view of the recent announcement of cuts in the budget for overseas development and recalling that more than €1 million was provided through Irish Aid in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5208/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Since 2004, through Irish Aid, the Government has provided over €4.2 million for development organisations operating in Nepal. In 2008, this support amounted to €1.27 million. In 2008 Irish Aid also funded and organised the participation of two Irish members of the EU election observation mission in Nepal.

Irish Aid funding for Nepal is provided under a number of schemes, including long term development funding from the Civil Society Fund, funding for missionary organisations, and volunteer programmes. Sectors supported include human rights, health, education and livelihood support. Emergency funding was also provided in 2008 to address humanitarian needs following serious flooding in Nepal.

Irish Aid will continue to work with and support NGO partners in Nepal in 2009. The precise details of the funding arrangements have not yet been finalised. In addition, Irish Aid will fund a United Nations Volunteer who will work in basic education in Nepal under the UN Volunteer programme organised by the United Nations Development Programme.