Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
134. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Irish Aid’s programme in Sierra Leone; and his further views on whether this programme is vital and should be sustained in view of the fact that the country is still emerging from conflict and humanitarian crises. [4043/18]
View answerIreland’s ongoing engagement in and with Sierra Leone, a key partner for our development cooperation, is consistent with Ireland’s long-standing commitment to support fragile and conflict-affected states.
The programme of bilateral assistance delivered by the Embassy of Ireland in Freetown played a crucial role in supporting the response to the Ebola crisis between 2014 and 2016, including through close cooperation with local and international partners. Since the end of the recovery period, the Embassy has shifted its attention to wider development priorities, in line with those set out in the One World One Future development cooperation strategy document, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.
A budget of €6.7 million has been allocated for Ireland’s cooperation with Sierra Leone in 2018, with the aim of improving child nutrition, ensuring good governance and promoting gender equality.
The government of Sierra Leone is preparing a new poverty reduction strategy, which will be further informed by the programme of the new government, following Presidential and parliamentary elections in March. The Embassy of Ireland in Freetown, through its political engagement which complements the development programme, is providing ongoing financial, technical and political support to the electoral process, with the aim of ensuring that this year’s elections are peaceful, inclusive, credible and timely.
Planning for a new multi-annual Mission Strategy for the Embassy in Freetown is also underway. When finalised, this Strategy will form the framework for Ireland’s engagement with Sierra Leone, including development priorities, over the coming years.
