Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the further supports Ireland will be providing for Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13637/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 122 together.

Ireland has been supporting Ukraine and the Ukrainian people both bilaterally and through the EU budget since Russia’s full-scale invasion was launched on 24 February 2022. Ireland’s support has been directed at addressing the humanitarian consequences of the invasion, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government, public services and economy. We have also contributed to the provision of non-lethal assistance to Ukraine to assist it in withstanding the Russian aggression.

Ireland was among the first to respond to the crisis in Ukraine with humanitarian assistance. Irish Aid provided €20 million in support in the first weeks of the conflict, disbursed through UN agencies, the Red Cross movement and Irish NGOs. From this package €1 million has been earmarked for UNHCR’s response to refugees in Poland and Moldova respectively. €2 million is supporting the response of Irish-based NGOs in partnership with local civil society while another €1.5 million was granted to UNFPA who are focusing on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), including maternal and new-born health; and protection from gender-based violence, predominantly for women and girls and the most vulnerable. 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 in bilateral funding to Ukraine. Of this, €20 million was disbursed through the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This funding supports the Ukrainian government in providing 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.

In addition, Ireland has provided significant in-kind assistance from the Health Service (HSE and IBTS) including hospital supplies, ambulances, blood bags, bio-protection suits and medical protection masks. The estimated value of these in-kind donations is €9.4 million. We have also provided assistance via the EU led mechanisms to the Ukraine energy sector including spare parts to repair gas and electricity infrastructure.

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 was the 9th largest donor to the CERF in 2022.

In terms of support within the State, the Department of Justice began granting Temporary Protection to persons fleeing the war in Ukraine on 9 March 2022. To date some 77,000 people have been granted Temporary Protection in Ireland.

€75 million was announced in Budget 2023 to address humanitarian and other needs in Ukraine, neighbouring countries and the global response to the crisis. This will include €32 million in direct support to Ukraine and its neighbours, as well as support to countries around the world dealing with the broader impacts of the crisis.