Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, in the aftermath of the legalisation of abortion here, any policy change took place with regard to the funding of overseas abortions; if funding from the State currently funds abortion abroad; if so, the amounts donated and to whom, for the years 2019-2024; the conditions or stipulations attached to any such funding, in the event that it occurs; to provide a comprehensive list of what is included and excluded in the full scope of sexual and reproductive health activities supported by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12603/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Development cooperation is integral to Ireland’s foreign policy and our priorities are set out in A Better World, the Government's policy for International Development. It recognises that access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care is fundamental for transforming women's health outcomes. In September 2023 then Tánaiste, Micheál Martin approved a new initiative on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in fulfilment of a commitment in A Better World.

Ireland’s support for sexual and reproductive health up to 2019 was earmarked for measures to tackle sexual and gender based violence, reduce maternal mortality, and for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

With the change in Ireland’s domestic legislation on the termination of pregnancy in 2018, Ireland now aligns fully with the EU consensus position on sexual and reproductive health and rights, which recognises the need for universal access to quality and affordable comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services. However, the promotion or provision of abortion is not a central element of Ireland’s development cooperation engagements, and no funding is earmarked for this purpose.

The 2023 initiative consolidates Ireland’s long-standing support for measures to tackle sexual and gender based violence, improve maternal health, and end the epidemic of HIV and AIDS. The initiative also commits to scaling up action to reduce unmet need for contraception among adolescent and young women, including those in humanitarian crises.

The comprehensive list of actions recognised internationally as comprising sexual and reproductive health-care is provided in the table below.:

Since 2022, the Department of Foreign Affairs has provided €2,300,000 to the global health care provider, the International Planned Parenthood Foundation (IPPF). The IPPF is one of the leading providers of contraception in low income countries. It provides education to young people on their rights and choices, and promotes gender equality, and it works to ensure that reproductive health care can be accessed where necessary, including urgent care to women and girls experiencing complications following unsafe abortions. IPPF does not promote abortion as a family planning method.