Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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420. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the extent of Irish funding to the Palestinian Authority; the amount of this earmarked for cultural and educational activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37806/14]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Ireland has funded programmes of assistance to Palestine for more than two decades, reflecting a long-standing commitment to justice for the Palestinian people and to the peaceful development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State. This funding, which currently amounts to over €10 million annually, addresses immediate humanitarian needs, as well as development priorities and the promotion of human rights.

Ireland, like other EU Members States, is committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority as part of our overall programme of support for the Palestinian people. This support which enables the Palestinian Authority to build its institutions and provide essential public services to its people is critical to laying the foundations for a future Palestinian State. Ireland is providing a total of €3 million in funding to the Palestinian Authority in 2014 in support of education and social development programmes.

Ireland’s funding to the Palestinian people has traditionally had a strong focus on the education sector which is crucial to Palestine’s long-term economic viability. Of the €3 million total funding, we are providing €1.5 million in support to the Palestinian Authority’s Education Development Strategic Plan through a Joint Financing Arrangement along with a number of other donors. We are also providing €1.5 million to the Palestinian Authority through a mechanism overseen by the European Commission, known as PEGASE, mainly for the social development sector, enabling continued service delivery in the vital areas of health, education and social services. This contribution helps to strengthen the Authority’s ability to meet the needs of the most vulnerable Palestinian households.