Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is developing plans for maintaining essential services, in the interim and longer term, of Irish non-governmental agencies engaged in humanitarian and global health work disrupted by the Presidential executive order by President Trump halting most US humanitarian and global health funding; if this would be done through emergency contingency funding via Irish Aid or another mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8641/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains firmly committed to Ireland’s international development assistance programme and 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 would hope to continue this engagement.? ?

Since the announcement by Executive Order of the 90 day pause for all US foreign assistance programmes, the Department of?Foreign 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.

The Government is fully committed to our programme of work with Irish Non-Governmental Organisations and their local partners, which very receive significant funding under the Government's international development programme. Since 2023, Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership funding scheme has provided €100 million annually to Irish development NGOs. This funding supports the delivery of international humanitarian and development programmes, including global health programmes.

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.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he intends utilising the Irish Presidency of the EU to communicate the need for Europe to conduct an immediate review of its policy and actions in relation to the provision of humanitarian and global health funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8642/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Preparations for the Presidency are being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in close co-operation with the Department of the Taoiseach and with input from all Departments across Government.

We have been actively following significant policy developments at EU level, which will provide the context for Ireland’s Presidency. The evolution of the Council’s legislative agenda through successive Presidencies over the next 18 months will also have a bearing on the specific priorities to be taken forward in 2026.

The Government remains concerned at the alarming rise of global health emergencies. They have a lasting social and economic impact, increase inequalities, and compromise progress towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the fulfilment of the Right to Health for all.

Ireland underscores the particular need for sustained EU leadership in global health, including strong support for an effective global health architecture with the World Health Organisation at its core. Humanitarian and Global Health challenges require us to work together, to ensure essential health services are accessible to those that need them most.

Health is a core component of humanitarian assistance and is central to EU humanitarian action. In line with the EU Strategy for Global Health, Ireland works actively with partners on a global level and through our bilateral engagements to sustain primary health care services in crises.

The European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (DG ECHO) was the third-largest humanitarian aid donor in 2024, representing 7% of global humanitarian aid. In 2025 DG ECHO has so far allocated €1.89 billion in humanitarian aid. In 2024, Ireland provided over €330 million in humanitarian assistance globally, one of the top ten Eu Member States in providing humanitarian assistance. We also partner with DG ECHO in the provision of in-kind assistance to the most severe crises.

The Government will also seek to ensure sufficient funding for humanitarian aid and for development cooperation in the context of the next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF).

The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, underpinning its policies both within and beyond its borders over a seven-year period. The current MFF, amounting to €1.2 trillion, runs until 2027. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU will begin the lengthy negotiation process on the next budget framework beyond 2027, during the second half of 2025. This will be a key priority during Ireland's Presidency, and Ireland will be an active participant in seeking to promote adequate spending on our key policy concerns.

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider having Ireland be the 40th country to formally join the UNAID's Global Partnership for Action to eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination and consider this as part of the program for the Irish Presidency of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8643/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been a consistent champion of the global fight against HIV and AIDS and is supportive of the goals of the Global Partnership for Action to eliminate all forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. While Ireland has not taken a decision on formally joining the partnership, addressing stigma and discrimination and ensuring equitable access to HIV prevention, testing and treatment services are clear priorities for us and critical to the global HIV response.

At biannual meetings of the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board, Ireland works to secure the highest level of commitment from our global partners and garner support for ambitious, rights-based outcomes. Our primary focus now is to ensure that the next Global AIDS Strategy, 2026-2031, is ambitious, with realistic goals that build on the progress made to date, and with a focus on innovative, inclusive commitments that leave no one behind.

The Government provides very significant financial support to address HIV and AIDS. For example, Ireland pledged €65.75 million for the years 2023 - 2025 to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We contribute €2.5 million annually to UNAIDS as part of a multi-annual agreement for the years 2023 - 2026. Ireland also fully endorses the Global Fund's 2023-2028 Strategy, which includes a focus on addressing inequities and structural drivers of HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths including barriers to services due to stigma, discrimination and inequality.

Our political and financial support to UNAIDS, the Global Fund as well as to civil society partners such as Frontline AIDS, helps to support legal and policy reform that directly addresses stigma and discrimination. It also aims to improve access to HIV services for those most at risk, as well as supporting civil society and grassroots organisations to challenge harmful policies and attitudes that exclude minorities and put them at greater risk of HIV infection.