Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2015
13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total Irish Aid funding allocated to those countries affected by the Ebola virus; the precautions being taken to ensure the health and safety of Irish citizens working in the countries affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2605/15]
View answerThe Ebola epidemic in West Africa is continuing to have a devastating impact on the worst-affected countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Through the work on the ground of our Embassy in Sierra Leone and our significant financial support, Ireland is playing a leading role in the international response, which is finally beginning to show progress. Each of the three countries now has strengthened capacity to isolate and treat patients, and the incidence of cases is starting to show signs of decline.
The EU and its Member States have so far committed over €1.2 billion to the Ebola response. In 2014, Ireland provided over €18 million, directly and through NGOs, to the most affected countries. This included some €10 million through our annual development programmes in our partner countries - Sierra Leone and Liberia – which have a particular focus on strengthening the national health systems. We have provided over €5.6 million specifically for Ebola treatment facilities and for work on contact-tracing, community mobilisation and child nutrition programmes, among other activities. We will maintain this strong focus in 2015.
My Department maintains a register of Irish nationals living in the affected countries and we keep in regular contact with them. Advice to citizens is also included in the HSE booklet about precautions to take against Ebola.
Officials of the Department in Freetown and Dublin have also been working actively with our EU and international partners to put in place plans for local treatment and medical evacuation. The UK has confirmed that access to its facilities in Sierra Leone is now open to all Irish nationals. An EU medevac mechanism is also now in place.
