Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware of the impact that US President Trump’s freeze on foreign aid is having on a number of Irish charities; the steps he is taking to ensure that Irish registered charities which are affected by the US decision are able to continue their full operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7182/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development?assistance programme and to its overriding priority, to reach the furthest behind first.

Ireland has worked with the US Administration and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on several global and country programmes that support sustainable development and humanitarian response, and we hope to continue this engagement.

Since the announcement by Executive Order of the 90 day pause for all US foreign assistance programmes, the Department ofmForeign Affairs has been following closely the continuing reports and announcements in relation to USAID. While the situation is still evolving, we are very aware of the potential impact of the pause on development programmes and humanitarian relief efforts.

We understand that waivers are being considered on a case by case basis with regard to “life-saving activities” and we await the conclusion of the announced US spending review, which is currently underway.

We will continue to work closely with international partners, multilateral organisations such as the United Nations, civil society organisations, and through the European Union in our collective effort to overcome global poverty and inequality and to advance sustainable development.

We are fully committed to our programme of work with Irish Non-Governmental Organisations and their local partners, which receive very significant funding under the Government's international development programme. We are already working with our partners to ensure that the implications of any funding cuts are managed as well as possible. It would not be viable for Ireland’s funding to substitute for future shortfalls in US funds. However, we will continue to provide support that is both predictable and flexible, thereby enabling partners to adapt as well as possible to rapidly changing contexts.