John Paul Phelan
Question:42. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Taoiseach the number of people who are being paid at the current minimum wage of €11.30 per hour. [49384/23]
View answerNational Minimum Wage
Questions (42)
Written answers
The Labour Force Survey (LFS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The LFS produces estimates for the number of employees who report earning the national minimum wage as well as those who indicate they have gross hourly earnings which do not exceed the national minimum wage.
In Q2 2023 there were 125,800 employees reported that they earned the national minimum wage of €11.30 per hour, with a further 38,900 reporting that they earned less than the national minimum wage. The total number of employees in Q2 2023 was 2,286,200. The combined total of 164,700 employees who earned the national minimum wage or less represents 7.5% of the total excluding those recorded as ‘not stated’.
Number of employees aged 15 - 89 years earning the National Minimum Wage or less, Q2 2019 - Q2 2023
|
- |
'000 |
||||
|
|
Q2 2019 |
Q2 2020 |
Q2 2021 |
Q2 2022 |
Q2 2023 |
|
Employees reporting earning less than National Minimum Wage |
24.4 |
20.8 |
24.0 |
34.8 |
38.9 |
|
Employees reporting earning National Minimum Wage |
108.2 |
106.5 |
133.5 |
122.9 |
125.8 |
|
Total employees reporting earning National Minimum Wage or less |
132.6 |
127.3 |
157.5 |
157.7 |
164.7 |
|
Employees reporting earning more than National Minimum Wage |
1709.9 |
1538.5 |
1770.1 |
1952.7 |
2045.9 |
|
Not stated |
123.1 |
148.6 |
93.2 |
81.6 |
75.6 |
|
Total employees |
1965.7 |
1814.4 |
2020.9 |
2192.0 |
2286.2 |
Source: Labour Force Survey (LFS), Central Statistics Office, Ireland.
Data may be subject to future revision.
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: Q1 Jan-Mar,Q2 Apr-Jun,Q3 Jul-Sep,Q4 Oct-Dec.
Cross-Border Co-operation
Questions (43)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:43. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Taoiseach the capital ceilings for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 in relation to the shared island unit, and the level of expenditure in each year in tabular form, and the number of university North-South research partnerships, arrangements or any other joint work that was entered to in each, of these years. [49601/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Shared Island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach operates a published research programme. Administrative expenditure by year to date on this programme is provided in tabular form. Commissioned research typically involves North/South or East/West collaboration and is all published at www.gov.ie/sharedisland/research.
Separately, capital ceilings for the Government’s Shared Island Fund from 2021-2025 are set out in the revised National Development Plan. Following Government decisions on allocations, projects are taken forward by the relevant Government Minister and their Department. Fund allocations are made to and managed within Departmental Votes.
In relation to North South research partnerships, €50m was allocated by Government from the Shared Island Fund for the North South Research Programme to operate from 2022-2027, with funding also from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The North South Research Programme is administered by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Full information on the North South university research partnerships funded through the North South Research Programme is at: www.hea.ie/policy/research-policy.
Information in tabular form:
|
Shared Island unit research programme expenditure (Costs related to the Shared Island unit are covered within the administrative budget of the Department of the Taoiseach, as set out in the published Revised Estimates Volume each year.) |
|
|
2022 |
€620,000 |
|
2021 |
€344,520 |
|
2020 |
€0 |
Departmental Bodies
Questions (44, 45)
Ivana Bacik
Question:44. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the number of Senior Officials Group meetings in relation to the Government’s response to the war in Ukraine; the Government Departments, that were represented at each meeting, in tabular form [49904/23]
View answerIvana Bacik
Question:45. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach if he will publish minutes and or memoranda attached to meetings of the Senior Officials Group in relation to the Government’s response to the war in Ukraine in 2023. [49905/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
Ireland is hosting over 99,500 people from Ukraine who have been forced to flee their homes.
The Government is ensuring effective co-ordination of our humanitarian response through the work of the Cabinet Committee on the Humanitarian Response to Ukraine, which I chair, and is assisted by the Humanitarian Senior Officials Group which is chaired by Department of the Taoiseach. Through this mechanism, all departments and agencies, as well as local government, are working to co-ordinate the State’s humanitarian response at a national and local level.
It is not the normal practice to publish minutes of Senior Officials Groups as they are established to support the work of relevant Cabinet Committees and the Cabinet. However, data on Ireland’s response to the Ukrainian crisis is routinely published by the CSO and is available at www.cso.ie/en/statistics/population/arrivalsfromukraineinireland/ . The latest data in this series was published on 24 October.
To date, the Humanitarian SOG has met 75 times since it was established in March 2022.
The following Government departments and agencies are represented at Humanitarian SOG meetings:
· Department of the Taoiseach,
· Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth,
· Department of Defence,
· Department of Education
· Department of Foreign Affairs,
· Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science,
· Department of Health,
· Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage,
· Department of Justice,
· Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform,
· Department of Rural and Community Development,
· Department of Social Protection,
· Department of Transport,
· Office of Public Works,
· Central Statistics Office,
· County and City Management Association,
· Local Government Management Agency, and
· Tusla.
In addition to the regular engagement between these departments, officials from other departments and agencies attend meetings as required.
Question No. 45 answered with Question No. 44.
Child Safety
Questions (46)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:46. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether any steps can be taken to repatriate children (details supplied) who were removed from Ireland by their father, against the wishes of their mother, in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49345/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that officials in my Department have been in regular contact with the Irish citizen in this case and are continuing to provide consular assistance and guidance. There are plans in place for a meeting to take place this month with this citizen.
I can appreciate that the circumstances of this case are difficult for all concerned. The Embassy of Ireland has engaged with the relevant Ministry of Justice on the matter and has provided advice to the citizen accordingly.
Departmental and Embassy officials have advised the citizen, since the case began, to engage with a local lawyer to best advise on the laws as they pertain to the jurisdiction in question. The Embassy of Ireland has also liaised with other EU Embassies, whose citizens have been in similar circumstances, in the context of the consular advice being given to the citizen.
The Department of Foreign Affairs cannot intervene in legal or custodial matters but my officials will continue to provide consular assistance to the citizen where possible and appropriate.
International Bodies
Questions (47)
Matt Carthy
Question:47. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has ever made a referral to the International Criminal Court to independently investigate allegations of war crimes or other such alleged acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49355/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland strongly supports the International Criminal Court (ICC) as the first permanent international court with the power to prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
The Court has jurisdiction over these crimes where they are alleged to have been committed on the territory of a State Party to the Statute of the Court, or by a national of a State Party to the Statute.
The Court also has jurisdiction where the alleged crime or crimes have been committed on the territory of a state which is not a party to the Statute, or by a national of that state, but where that state has made a declaration under Article 12 of the Statute in which it accepts the Court’s jurisdiction.
The Statute allows the ICC Prosecutor to initiate an investigation into alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court where those crimes have been referred to him or her by any State Party to the Statute or by the United Nations Security Council acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
The Prosecutor may also initiate an investigation on his or her own initiative but, under the Statute, to do so requires the authorisation of the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber. This can be a lengthy process but can be circumvented if a State Party refers the alleged crimes to the Prosecutor instead.
To date Ireland has made one referral to the Prosecutor of the ICC. On that occasion Ireland was one of 43 States Parties to the Statute that referred the situation in Ukraine to the Prosecutor, shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia began in February 2022.
Ukraine is not a State Party to the Statute, but did make a declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the Court in 2014. As the prior authorisation of the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber had not issued by the time of the full-scale invasion the States Parties’ referral enabled the Prosecutor to immediately begin an investigation into alleged crimes being committed in Ukraine, without the authorisation of the Court. This investigation is now fully underway. The Prosecutor has opened a field office in Ukraine and the Court has issued the first arrest warrants in the investigation.
Middle East
Questions (48)
Carol Nolan
Question:48. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the rights of Palestinian people to protest within the state of Israel and the West Bank, and the international law position on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49391/23]
View answerWritten answers
I support the right of people everywhere to engage in peaceful protest. The rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of individuals are fundamental human rights, and as such peaceful protests should not be unnecessarily curtailed.
While it is important that demonstrators protest peacefully, it is equally important that policing of demonstrations is carried out with full respect for individuals' rights and the utmost restraint. Any use of force against non-violent protestors is unjustifiable and unacceptable.
Both Israel and Palestine are parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which enshrines the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of individuals. While these rights are not absolute, they may only be restricted where this is provided for by law and necessary, including in the interests of national security, public safety or public order.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (49, 50)
Carol Nolan
Question:49. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all foreign ambassadors, or equivalent, who have been expelled since the foundation of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49392/23]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:50. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to list all embassy or consular staff who have been expelled since the foundation of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49393/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
Diplomatic relations between States, and the exchange of Ambassadors and diplomatic staff among States, are addressed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 (VCDR), as transposed into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967.
Under Article 9 of the VCDR, the receiving State may at any time and without having to explain its decision, notify the sending State that the head of a diplomatic mission or any member of the diplomatic staff of the mission is persona non grata or that any other member of the staff of the mission is not acceptable. In any such case, the sending State shall either recall the person concerned or terminate their functions with the mission.
Based on a review of records held by my Department in the time available, I can confirm that there is no record of Article 9, VCDR being invoked in relation to the head of a foreign diplomatic mission in Ireland.
Insofar as other members of staff of a foreign diplomatic mission are concerned and on the same basis, records held by my Department indicate that Article 9 VCDR has been invoked 9 times to date in respect of diplomatic staff and as follows:
|
Date |
Foreign Diplomatic Mission |
No. of Diplomatic Staff Involved |
|
1983 |
Embassy of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics |
2 |
|
2010 |
Embassy of Israel |
1 |
|
2011 |
Embassy of the Russian Federation |
1 |
|
2018 |
Embassy of the Russian Federation |
1 |
|
2022 |
Embassy of the Russian Federation |
4 |
Question No. 50 answered with Question No. 49.
Foreign Birth Registration
Questions (51)
James Lawless
Question:51. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the foreign birth registration applications of two persons (details supplied), following the recent provision by them of all outstanding documents. [49441/23]
View answerWritten answers
Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 8 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications which require further supporting documents will take longer to process.Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate.
With regard to the specific FBR applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the first application requires further supporting documents which were requested from the applicant. The application cannot proceed until the required supporting documents are submitted. The second application has been approved. A certificate will issue to the applicant shortly.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (52)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:52. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the €776 million allocated to international cooperation in Budget 2024, and the €1.2 billion, comprising allocations from other Government Departments and Ireland's share of the EU budget (development cooperation) which constitutes the Official Development Assistance; if he would make particular reference to any expenditure that is automatic or benchmarked in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49533/23]
View answerWritten answers
In Budget 2024, the Government provided the highest ever allocation for the international development programme managed, under Vote 27, by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The allocation of €776.5 million represents an increase of €60 million, or 8.4%, on the 2023 allocation.
€30 million of the additional funding will be allocated to climate finance, which, in conjunction with additional funding from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, will help ensure that Ireland meets our commitment to provide a total of €225 million in climate finance annually by 2025. A further €30 million is allocated for programmes in support of Ukraine and to address food security and malnutrition globally, as well as rising humanitarian need.
Based on current estimates, total Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2024 will amount to some €2 billion, including allocations to other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget.
Spending by other Government Departments also includes significant support for domestic refugee costs which is channelled through various departments including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education.
It also includes Ireland's share of ODA disbursed from the EU Budget by EU Institutions. This is an element of Ireland's general contribution to the EU Budget, and is managed by the Department of Finance. The most recent forecast from the European Commission, issued in October, foresees €14.982 billion in ODA disbursement from the EU Budget in 2024. Ireland's share of this will likely be around 2.43% to 2.45% or €365-€367 million.
The work on the allocation of the €776.5 million of ODA allocated to Vote 27 across the full range of programmes and activities supported by the Department is ongoing, and will approved by the end of the year.
Military Aircraft
Questions (53, 54, 58)
Holly Cairns
Question:53. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the process for ensuring that all US military aircraft which pass through Shannon Airport are not carrying weapons or munitions of war. [49571/23]
View answerHolly Cairns
Question:54. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of US military aircraft which have refuelled in Shannon Airport to date in 2023; and the following destination for each aircraft, in tabular form. [49572/23]
View answer
Marian Harkin
Question:58. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide information in regard to US military planes refuelling in Shannon in relation to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49661/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 54 and 58 together.
Under the terms of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order, 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly, or land in, the State require diplomatic clearance from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic clearance is subject to strict conditions, including that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.
This policy is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
It is the longstanding policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs not to disclose details relating to the specifics of diplomatic clearance requests, as such information is provided by Embassies in the expectation of the maintenance of confidentiality.
However, the Department of Foreign Affairs does publish statistics in relation to overflights and landings of foreign military and state aircraft on the Department’s website. This includes details on the number of US military aircraft that have landed in Shannon Airport this year.
Question No. 54 answered with Question No. 53.
Official Travel
Questions (55)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Question:55. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to visit Australia early in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49592/23]
View answerWritten answers
As set out in the updated Asia Pacific Strategy, which I launched at the Global Ireland Summit on 24 September, the Government is committed to strengthening Ireland’s relations with Australia, building on existing close political, economic and people-to-people ties.
The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney T.D., visited Australia for St Patrick's Day this March. In July 2023, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education, Thomas Byrne T.D., attended the FIFA Women's World Cup in Sydney.
Officials in my Department are in regular contact with Australian counterparts on a range of issues, including follow up to bilateral consultations at senior official level, held in Australia earlier this year.
My travel plans for the first half of 2024 are not finalised.
Middle East
Questions (56, 57, 67)
Carol Nolan
Question:56. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the efforts being made by his Department to assist and secure the release of Irish passport holders held hostage in Gaza following the barbaric attack by Hamas on 7 October; and any similar efforts to secure the safe passage of Irish passport holders from Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49634/23]
View answerCarol Nolan
Question:57. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, or any Irish embassy or consular staff, have offered assistance to an Irish-born person (details supplied) whose daughter was presumed dead but who is now thought to be alive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49635/23]
View answer
Paul Murphy
Question:67. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs what actions his Department is taking to ensure the safe release of an Irish-Israeli citizen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49908/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 57 and 67 together.
My Department is aware of the case and is providing extensive consular assistance to the citizen's family.
As I am sure you will appreciate, Deputy, it is not possible for us to comment further as it would not be helpful to do so.
Question No. 57 answered with Question No. 56.
Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 53.
Middle East
Questions (59)
Sorca Clarke
Question:59. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his reason for not recognising the state of Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49696/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government states that the Government will “honour our commitment to recognise the State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict, or in advance of that, when we believe doing so will progress efforts to reach a two-State solution or protect the integrity of Palestinian territory”.
As I have said previously, the absence of progress towards a two-State solution, I would be prepared to recommend to the Government recognition by Ireland of a State of Palestine, if and when it might be helpful. This is something that is kept under constant review, in line with the progress report on the implementation of the Programme for Government.
The current situation in Gaza, and more broadly in respect of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is of deep concern. Ireland's focus at present is on making every effort at EU and UN level to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale and the unconditional release of all hostages in Gaza, as well as facilitating the departure of Irish citizens from Gaza and working for the release of Emily Hand, the 8 year old Irish-Israeli citizen who is believed to be a hostage in Gaza.
Middle East
Questions (60)
Sorca Clarke
Question:60. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had any communication with the Irish citizens seeking to get out of Gaza; to provide an update on their current situation; and what plans he has in place to make sure they can safely return to Ireland. [49697/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs has remained in very regular phone contact with a number of Irish citizens in Gaza. Let me assure you that we have been providing extensive consular assistance and will continue to do so.
There are many thousands of foreign and dual nationals and immediate dependents in Gaza who are seeking to leave. The departures are being managed country by country on a phased basis. It will take some time for this process to be completed.
The names of all Irish citizens in Gaza who have asked to be included on the list of those due to leave have been submitted to the relevant authorities. We do not know exactly when they will be able to leave.
However, I can assure you that our Embassies in Cairo and Tel Aviv are in constant communication with the authorities in Egypt and Israel to press for our citizens to be allowed to leave as soon as possible.
We continue to directly update Irish citizens in Gaza as we have confirmed information.
Middle East
Questions (61)
Sorca Clarke
Question:61. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, as per his Department's website, he can state in detail what Ireland is doing to support and strengthen the quality of the education system in Palestine, while ensuring more Palestinian children are accessing education. [49699/23]
View answerWritten answers
Education is crucial to the long term development of Palestine, and is a key focus of Ireland’s work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Ireland supports the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Education in strengthening the quality and accessibility of the education system through a Joint Financing Arrangement. The objective is to improve capacity and provide equitable access to quality education for Palestinian children. The Joint Arrangement is also supported by Finland, Germany and Norway. Ireland is providing €3 million in support in 2023 and engaging actively in education sector dialogue. Ireland has been supporting the Joint Arrangement since 2010.
A mid-term review of the European Joint Strategy in support of Palestine noted that the Joint Arrangement is referenced as a flagship example of effective joint programming and implementation in Palestine.
Ireland also supports the United Nation’s Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), providing €18 million in 2023. A key part of UNWRA’s mission is supporting 706 elementary and primary schools for Palestine refugees. Before the current crisis, over 500,000 Palestinian refugee children were enrolled in UNRWA schools. Our support through UNWRA has been a key pillar of education in the occupied Palestine Territory, especially in Gaza.
In terms of further education, the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme is a dedicated scholarships programme for Palestinian students, supporting 25 students annually from Palestine to undertake a one-year Master’s-level course in Ireland. Since it was established in 2019, 95 students from Palestine have undertaken a Master’s programme in Ireland. There are currently 22 Palestinian students in Ireland on that programme, at an annual cost of €1 million.
In 2022, Ireland also contributed €1 million to the Global Programme for Education’s specific account for the West Bank and Gaza. The Global Partnership for Education is a multi-stakeholder partnership and funding platform that aims to strengthen education systems in developing countries in order to dramatically increase the number of children who are in school and learning.
Middle East
Questions (62)
Sorca Clarke
Question:62. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to provide a list of all projects, and their organisations, promoting gender equality in Palestine that Ireland contributes to. [49700/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), a Palestinian human rights organisation, established in 1995 by Palestinian human rights lawyers and defenders as an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Gaza. Its strategic priorities are supporting promote gender equality, strengthening rule of law, and increasing access to justice for victims of human rights abuses, with a focus on women who are victims of gender-based crimes. Ireland has been funding PCHR since 2010 and provided €100,000 to PCHR in 2023.
MIFTAH (Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy) works to empower local leadership, and to influence policy and legislation to ensure the safeguarding of civil and social rights for all Palestinians. MIFTAH works on issues such as empowering young community women and, on a policy level, works with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on developing a more gender-responsive government budget. Ireland has been funding MIFTAH since 2010 and provided €100,000 in 2023.
SHAMS (the Human Rights and Democracy Media Centre) works to strengthen the principle and culture of human rights, prevent discrimination, and enhance civilian oversight and social accountability of the Palestinian security institution. SHAMS has implemented many projects addressing women’s rights within the occupied Palestinian Territory and Gaza strip. In 2022, Ireland provided €38,000 in support to a project aiming to fight inequality and gender-based discrimination in mass media and contribute to gender-based equality in media discourse.
In 2022, Ireland funded the Society of Women Graduates in the Gaza Strip with a grant of €24,999 to support their project ‘Women Act’ which aims to strengthen the participation of women in local politics in Gaza.
In 2022, Ireland supported the “Women for Women” initiative of the Ajyal Association for Creativity and Development with a grant of €4,000. This project coaches young women to work with their peers as community leaders, teaching them to articulate and fight for issues affecting their lives.
Ireland has supported the Aisha Association for Women and Children through a grant of €5,828 in 2022 to their ‘Gaza Women’s Yoga and Circus Hub’ project. It aimed to address the severe lack of social and recreational safe spaces accessible for women, girls and people with disabilities in Gaza City.
Finally, the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme brings up to 25 students from Palestine to Ireland each year to undertake a one-year Masters programme. Since the programme began in 2019, 86 female students have been awarded a Fellowship. The annual cost of the full IPSP programme is €1 million.