Written answers

Tuesday, 18 February 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Departmental Funding

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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124. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department received funding support for projects of any kind from the United States of America International Development for the period 2016 to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5649/25]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government of Ireland does not receive funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). However, the Department of Foreign Affairs and USAID have had a longstanding collaboration in the fight against poverty and inequality around the world.

Since 2022, Ireland has collaborated with USAID on areas of work that were identified as being of mutual interest and concern. In particular, we have cooperated to advance food and nutrition security in some of the most vulnerable countries in Africa, including in Malawi and Zambia.

The US Administration, through USAID, has been a steadfast supporter of The International Fund for Ireland, which is also supported by the Government. The International Fund for Ireland was established as an independent international organisation by the Irish and British Governments in 1986, on foot of a bipartisan initiative of President Reagan and US Speaker Tip O’Neill.

The US was not only critical to the establishment of the International Fund for Ireland, it has also contributed a total of over half a billion dollars to the Fund. This has historically been the main financial means for US government assistance to peacebuilding on the island. Successive US Administrations, including the first Trump Administration, have provided annual funding to the IFI based on strong bipartisan support for its work. The Irish Government has contributed €20 million between 2021 and 2024 and will provide €4 million in 2025.

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