Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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27. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on Ireland’s partnership with Lithuania to provide for the construction of bomb shelters in schools in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40327/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Two and a half years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to face immense challenges. On 4 September, I announced with the Taoiseach a significant new package of supports for Ukraine and its neighbours, worth €36 million. This builds on the extensive political, humanitarian, military and economic support provided since February 2022 and will provide much-needed humanitarian support and development assistance to people suffering the impact of this unjust war. The funding also recognises the particularly horrific impact of the war on women and children.

Ireland continues to identify community infrastructure which we can help to rehabilitate, to ensure that those communities continue to have access to the essential services they need, and with a view to enabling longer term development. Education and supporting children to continue attending school is an important part of that effort.

Therefore, we are cooperating with the Lithuanian government to contribute €3 million to a programme to build bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine. The Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency oversees the project which engages Ukrainian construction companies. The European Union is currently supporting this programme which utilises the experience of the Lithuanian Central Project Management Agency. Lithuania has valued experience and expertise in the context of development and humanitarian cooperation in Ukraine.

Officials are currently in discussions with their Lithuanian counterparts to finalise arrangements for the partnership. We expect to conclude an agreement and provide the associated funding very shortly. We will also ensure the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of developments with a view to potentially providing further support in the future.