Written answers

Thursday, 10 October 2024

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ukraine War

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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24. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide the details of the €36 million package of support for Ukraine announced in September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40319/24]

Photo of Michael MoynihanMichael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the full extent of Ireland’s support for Ukraine since Russia’s illegal invasion of February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40321/24]

Photo of Alan FarrellAlan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the level of non-lethal aid Ireland is providing to Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28196/24]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 31 and 42 together.

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.

On 4 September, I announced with the Taoiseach a significant new package of supports for Ukraine and its neighbours, worth €36 million. This will help provide essential humanitarian assistance, support rehabilitation and eventual reconstruction, and contribute to Ukraine's longer term goals, including peace, stability and political aspirations.

Partners to be supported include UN OCHA’s Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, which has reach across all regions of Ukraine, including significant funding to national Ukrainian organisations, and UNHCR for the provision of shelter and protection to millions of displaced people.

Financial commitments to the UN Population Fund and the World Health Organisation will contribute to work on health infrastructure and in the provision of support to vulnerable women. Ireland will also support the Red Cross family.

Ireland will contribute to the World Bank crisis facility special programme for Ukraine and Moldova, which is aimed at addressing urgent needs, and to the IMF Ukraine Capacity Development Fund supporting the Ukraine policy and reform agenda including EU accession.

A partnership with Lithuania will provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine.

This announcement brings Ireland’s total support to Ukraine since February 2022 to over €380 million, including approximately €130 million in stabilisation and humanitarian supports and commitments of approximately €250 million of non-lethal military assistance under the European Peace Facility. Our military assistance to Ukraine is fully aligned with Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, and the commitment in the Programme for Government to the provision of non-lethal support.

Ireland has also been participating directly in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) following Government approval in February 2023. Through Ireland’s participation in EUMAM Ukraine, the Defence Forces have delivered training to over 600 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in training modules which include tactical combat casualty care/combat lifesaver, demining/mine clearance, and drill instruction training. The Defence Forces currently have one officer deployed in a senior staff position in the mission’s Operational Headquarters, which operates within the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability in Brussels, while a further three Defence Forces personnel have also been deployed to the multi-national Special Training Command in Germany. Ireland, through the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, has donated equipment which includes ready to eat meals and body armour from Defence Forces stocks, demining equipment (mine flails) and associated training, and 30 vehicles, consisting of pickup trucks, logistics vehicles and ambulances to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in June and July of this year.

Ireland is also supporting civilian security sector reform through the provision of eight civilian experts to the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine.

Ireland has also welcomed over 110,000 Ukrainians under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Additionally, a number of significant decisions have been taken at EU level in recent months on opening accession negotiations, establishing the Ukraine Facility, creating a dedicated Ukraine Assistance Fund under the European Peace Facility, agreeing to use the profits from immobilised Russian sovereign assets to further support Ukraine, and on a 14th package of sanctions targeting Russia.

The Taoiseach visited Ukraine on 4 September. While in Kyiv, he met with President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Shmyhal, and signed a comprehensive bilateral agreement on support and cooperation between Ireland and Ukraine. This new Agreement is a political and practical declaration of Ireland’s support to Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland is committed to supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes as it defends itself against Russian aggression. We will also continue to build support among global partners for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, based on respect for the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and with justice and accountability at its heart.

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