Written answers

Wednesday, 8 February 2023

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ukraine War

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of aid, including finance and non-lethal military aid, provided by Ireland to Ukraine since the illegal invasion by Russia in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5829/23]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has been providing support to Ukraine both bilaterally and through the EU budget since Russia's full-scale invasion was launched on 24 February 2022. That support has been directed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the invasion, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government, public services and economy.

In terms of humanitarian assistance Ireland was among the first to respond to the crisis in Ukraine. Irish Aid package provided €20 million in the first weeks of the conflict, disbursed through UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and Irish NGOs. In addition, 5 members of the Rapid Response Register were also deployed to support the efforts of UN agencies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

In December 2022, my Department made a further contribution of €25 million. Of this, €20 million was disbursed through the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This funding supports the Ukrainian government to provide essential public services, including pensions, social assistance grants, health service delivery through hospitals and clinics and wages to State Emergency Service staff. €4 million was provided to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's Small Business Impact Fund. Ireland’s contribution will be allocated to SMEs in Ukraine who are playing a vital role in maintaining economic activity under extreme extraordinary circumstances. €1 million was provided to the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Ukraine Solidarity Fund. The Fund addresses social needs created by the war, such as emergency assistance, resettlement and integration of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Ireland has also committed €77 million in support for Ukraine's armed forces under the European Peace Facility.  In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland’s contribution is directly solely towards non-lethal assistance and is used to help supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel.

Ireland has provided medical assistance and supplies including ambulances, 4,000 blood bags, 10,000 bio-protection suits and 50,000 medical protection masks, in addition to spare parts to repair gas and electricity infrastructure, delivered via the EU’s civil protection mechanism and civil society partners. The estimated value of these in-kind donations is €4.4million. 

Ireland also contributes to the crisis in Ukraine through our core funding to key humanitarian partners and joint mechanisms such as WHO, UNICEF, ICRC, IFRC, WFP and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). To date, the CERF has allocated €60 million to Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Ireland is the 9th largest donor to the CERF this year.

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