Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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560. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which humanitarian aid continues to be made available in the regions throughout the globe currently most affected by conflict; if adequate steps have been taken to ensure the availability of aid and / or the establishment of safe havens for civilians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15690/15]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The core objective of Ireland’s humanitarian aid is to save lives and rebuild livelihoods in the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters, including in regions affected by conflict. Ireland's response is underpinned by a strong commitment to international humanitarian law and the provision of aid that is based on the humanitarian principles of independence, neutrality, impartiality and humanity.The international community is currently challenged by an unprecedented scale of humanitarian need globally, driven by conflict, chronic instability and economic and environmental shocks. Ireland’s Official Development Assistance budget includes a specific provision to enable Irish Aid to respond to humanitarian emergencies and natural disasters. We have increased this dedicated humanitarian assistance budget line from €57.5 million in 2014 to €58.5 million in 2015.

Ireland’s humanitarian programme is implemented through valued partners, including NGOs, UN Agencies, the Red Cross Movement and other international organisations. These partners have the experience and capacity to deliver assistance to the most vulnerable in times of crisis and stress.

Last month Ireland pledged further funding of €12 million to help meet the urgent needs of those affected by the Syria conflict in 2015. This will bring the total value of the Government’s response to the crisis in Syria to over €41 million. Ireland has responded to the plight of the victims of the Syrian conflict with a significant amount of humanitarian assistance for a country of our size. We are also responding to the humanitarian situation in Northern Nigeria, where conflict has displaced civilian populations and has affected neighbouring countries, Chad and Cameroon. We will continue to respond to the effects of conflict in other regions, including South Sudan and Central African Republic.

At a global level, Ireland is a major supporter of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The ICRC has a permanent mandate under the Geneva Conventions to take impartial action for prisoners, the wounded and sick, and civilians affected by conflict. It is often the best placed to provide assistance in conflict situations and where other organisations cannot operate. In recent years, Ireland’s core support for ICRC has helped the agency to provide life-saving assistance in conflict situations such as Somalia, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Syria and South Sudan. Last year, Ireland provided over €9 million to the ICRC to support its global operations in conflict contexts and we intend to maintain this level of support in 2015.