Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 2

Written Answers. - West Bank and Gaza Projects Funding.

Nora Owen

Question:

78 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether he has allocated any money for projects in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza; the amount of money he has allocated and to which organisation; and if he intends to allocate any more funds for the remainder of the year.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Collins)

A sum of £87,700 has been provided for two projects in the West Bank and Gaza for 1990.

Of this £70,000 has been allocated to a programme of assistance to Bethlehem University. This is part of a three-year development programme costing over £700,000 which is funded by the European Commission and Bethlehem University as well as by the Bilateral Aid Programme. The total Irish aid contribution is £140,000 to cover project coordination, technical assistance, development of staff and the supply of books and equipment.

The balance of a grant of £17,700 from the NGO Co-Financing Scheme to Christian Aid for the supply of equipment to vocational training centres in Gaza.

There are no plans to allocate further funds in 1990.