Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
102. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the EU programmes or funds outside of the multiannual financial framework that Ireland has paid into from the year 2014 to date; any receipts from same, by programme or fund, by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20351/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence contributes to the funding of common costs for EU military crisis management operations through the European Peace Facility (EPF) which lies outside of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The EPF, established in March 2021, replaced the off-budget Athena Mechanism and the off-budget African Peace Facility.
Under the EPF, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's CSDP, which, prior to the EPF, were handled by the Athena Mechanism. The Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the funding of African peace support operations, previously handled by the African Peace Facility, as well as EU Assistance Measures in order to provide assistance to individual countries and regional or sub-regional organisations.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the EPF has been utilised to provided assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Consistent with the terms of the Programme for Government, Ireland's share of Ukraine related assistance measures is being directed exclusively toward non-lethal support. The EU Military Assistance Mission (UAF) in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which provides training to Ukraine's Armed Forces is also funded via Member States contributions to the EPF.
Below is a table which illustrates Ireland's contributions by year to both the Athena Mechanism and the European Peace Facility (EPF) which succeeded it, covering the period 2014 to 2023. No payment has been made to date in 2024.
|
Year |
EPF/Athena |
Amount |
|
2023 |
EPF |
€6,242,351.02 |
|
2022 |
EPF |
€3,016,283.57 |
|
2021 |
EPF |
€1,894,812.07 |
|
2020 |
Athena |
€1,655,517.74 |
|
2019 |
Athena |
€1,064,928.58 |
|
2018 |
Athena |
€1,113,051.88 |
|
2017 |
Athena |
€731,325.20 |
|
2016 |
Athena |
€546,978.61 |
|
2015 |
Athena |
€570,758.25 |
|
2014 |
Athena |
€759,706.37 |
