Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount of foreign aid that has been provided to date to Ukraine, disaggregated by the receiving institution, the specific purpose it was to be used for, and whether there are any checks or audits to determine whether it was used for the purposes for which it was provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29541/24]

Micheál 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 the launch of the Russian full-scale invasion. Ireland makes extensive use of the multilateral system, and works with trusted partners on the ground to ensure a harmonised approach and enable the fast delivery of sustainable support.

Bilaterally, Ireland has committed over €345 million in support to Ukraine, comprising almost €95 million in stabilisation and humanitarian support, as well as commitments of approximately €250 million in non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility (Ukraine Assistance Fund), of which €25 million has been drawn down to date.

Funding by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Ukraine, and in support of regional programmes to support Ukrainians in neighbouring countries since February 2022 includes:

The Department of Foreign Affairs has also provided approximately €820,000 via the Rapid Response Initiative. This brings to approximately €83 million the sum total to date of funding from Foreign Affairs (Votes 27 and 28) which forms part of a wider Government effort in support of Ukraine. The Department of Foreign Affairs has also provided an additional €7 million in support of programmes in Moldova. Other Government Departments have made contributions including in-kind and monetary supports to Ukraine, to the value of approximately €12 million. While Ireland’s funding to Ukraine remains primarily humanitarian in nature, Ireland has also contributed to ensuring macroeconomic stability, support for peacebuilding, support for social development and support to assist Ukraine in their ambitious reform programme to bring them in line with EU Acquis.

In 2024, Ireland has committed approximately €35 million to Ukraine and its neighbours. This will include continued humanitarian support, as well as funding as needed through the UN and other multilateral and IFI partners that are providing support for peacebuilding, recovery and reconstruction for Ukraine and the neighbourhood.

The European Peace Facility (EPF) is managed under the authority and direction of a Facility Committee responsible for adopting the EPF annual and amending budgets. Ireland, like all other EU Member States, is represented on the EPF Committee. A College of Auditors is in charge of the external audit of revenue and expenditure as well as of the annual accounts of operations and assistance measures. The Auditors are appointed by the EPF Committee based on candidates proposed by the EU Member States. In line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, Ireland’s contributions under the EPF are directed exclusively towards non-lethal assistance. Ireland’s contributions in respect of non-lethal support are non-fungible and therefore will only be used for this purpose.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has ongoing and regular engagement with all recipients of funding, who are required to provide regular updates and reports on the use and impact of funds received. Furthermore, senior officials from the Department travelled to Ukraine in June, to meet with key partners, monitor progress, and highlight Ireland’s commitment and priorities.