Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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186. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of overseas development aid which was directed to South Africa in each year from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's Embassy in Pretoria opened in 1994, and it currently manages a bilateral development programme focused on reducing inequality, tackling the spread of HIV/AIDS, and reducing gender-based violence. Ireland’s total Official Development Assistance (ODA) directed to South Africa over the four years 2020 2023 amounted to a total of €16,294,000, as outlined in the table below. Details for 2024 are currently being prepared for reporting and will be finalised in the coming months.

Our development assistance in South Africa is guided by a five-year strategy devised in line with our foreign and development cooperation policies. The current strategy in South Africa covers the period 2022–2026. It aims to support

• Strengthened political partnerships with South Africa and the Southern African region;
• Strong and resilient institutions, political processes and civil society participation to advance human rights and sustainable development;
• Gender equality, women’s leadership and advancing the rights of women and girls;
• Strengthened trade and economic relations and institutional partnerships to support inclusive economic growth.

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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187. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list any aid organisations, philanthropic organisations or governments that have liaised with the Department of Foreign Affairs Irish Aid programme and contributed financially to projects in Ireland, specifically regarding the provision of abortion and or advocacy for same in Ireland, for the years 2014 to 2024, including the precise amounts of money these organisations or governments gave; the purpose of the monies given, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9230/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Government's international development cooperation programme, Irish Aid, is responsible for working with and supporting partners to tackle poverty and reduce humanitarian need in low-income countries and in crisis settings.

The international development programme does not have a role in policy development or in regard to the promotion or provision of abortion care in Ireland, and does not engage with organisations or other Governments on the matter.

Development cooperation is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy and our priorities are set out in A Better World, Ireland’s policy for International Development. A Better World recognises that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care is fundamental for realising Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and transforming women’s health outcomes.

The promotion or provision of abortion is not a central element of Ireland’s approach to sexual and reproductive health in development cooperation engagements. The focus is rather on the prevention of sexual and gender based violence; enhanced maternal and new-born health; the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS; and, reducing unmet need for contraception amongst adolescent and young women, including those experiencing humanitarian crises.