Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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195. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the EU has carried out a gap analysis regarding the massive reduction in USAID contributions and funding around the world; the scale of damage done by this sudden reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33434/25]

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. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been closely following the reports and announcements in relation to USAID. Ireland’s Embassies and Missions, particularly in developing countries, have also been monitoring developments and impacts on partnerships and programmes on the ground. The impact of these decisions, and of cutbacks in ODA by other major donors, is already being felt, particularly in sectors such as global health, humanitarian response, and governance and human rights. The Government is cooperating closely with the EU and the Member States on the collective response to the withdrawal of USAID funding. We recognise that, while the EU cannot fill the funding gaps left by USAID, the EU is in an important position to fill a leadership vacuum on issues such as human rights, peace and stability, and sustainable development.

On 31 March, the European Commission and the EU’s External Action Service presented to EU Member States an initial set of results of a mapping exercise which aims to identify the gaps arising from the withdrawal of USAID. A full consolidated assessment is still being developed in order to guide a longer term EU response to the USAID closure. The work undertaken by the EU is ongoing and is not yet finalised. Ireland supports a prioritisation process that targets those most in need. This must ensure a balanced response that addresses arising and urgent needs without compromising the EU’s longer term commitments for global peace, stability, human rights and sustainable development.

The Government is in regular contact with its partners, including with governments in developing countries, UN and other multilateral agencies, Irish development NGOs and international NGOs. We will continue this approach, and provide support that is both predictable and flexible. This is helping partners to adapt as well as possible to rapidly changing contexts.

The Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to annual increases in our Official Development Assistance (ODA), working towards achieving the target of 0.7% of Gross National Income.