Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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18. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the current shortfall crisis around funding that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East is experiencing; his plans to increase Ireland’s funding to the agency; and if he will encourage international partners to increase their support to the vital work of the agency. [8275/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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During my visit to Gaza last week, I reaffirmed Ireland’s longstanding support for UNRWA. I witnessed the critical work of the Agency in delivering services and assistance to some five million Palestine refugees across the region.

I am aware that international financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services resulting in recurring financial shortfalls. UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Pierre Krähenbühl briefed me on the operational and financial challenges faced by the Agency.

The continuing crisis in Syria, last year’s conflict in Gaza and the ongoing blockade there, are placing additional strain on UNRWA’s operations and creating a unique and challenging political and humanitarian environment.

Last week, I announced €4.5 million in funding for UNRWA which brings Ireland’s total support to the Agency to over €48 million since 2005. We provide €4 million annually to UNRWA’s General Fund to support the delivery of core services, especially in education and health. We have responded promptly to UNRWA’s Emergency Appeals in Syria and Gaza, providing €1 million to each appeal in 2014. As a member of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission, we work to ensure full support for the critical work of the Agency.

I will continue to engage with our EU and international partners to ensure that the needs of Palestine refugees are met.