Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will report on progress in implementing the commitment to increase the share of official development assistance directed to education, particularly girls’ education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66468/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government's policy for international development, A Better World, commits to scale up support for quality education, with a focus on girls’ education. There was a pledge to provide at least €250 million, between 2020 and 2024, which was achieved and exceeded.

In 2024, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided a total of €52.3 million in support to inclusive and equitable, quality education, particularly education for girls and those furthest behind. While final figures are not yet available, support in 2025 is expected to be at same the level, or higher. This support is programmed through a range of reinforcing channels. These include direct support for education programmes delivered by NGOs and UN agencies, allocations to multilateral funds specifically focused on education, and funding for the Ireland Fellows Programme.

Budget 2026 provided for an increase of €30 million in the funding provided to the international development assistance programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Irish Aid. The budget for 2026 will be €840.3 million, the highest ever level since the establishment of the aid programme. While the full details of the allocation of expenditure for 2026 are still being developed, the Department will maintain its commitment to prioritising support for quality education for girls and the furthest behind. Our programmes will continue to be informed by the clear evidence that inclusive and equitable, quality education is critical to achieving gender equality and sustainable development. Quality education is a prime driver for development, and for the empowerment of women and girls.