Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2018
57. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, further to the increased direct funding to UNRWA already announced, he will also increase funding to grassroots and community groups. [40529/18]
View answerIreland’s support for the Palestinian people, which so far this year amounts to almost €13 million, includes support for human rights NGOs and civil society organisations involved in a range of humanitarian, development and peacebuilding programmes.
Ireland has for many years been working to maintain a focus on the justice and human rights issues affecting Palestinians on the ground. A number of Palestinian and Israeli organisations who monitor human rights violations and promote greater accountability by both the Israeli and Palestinian authorities receive Irish funds – a total of €645,000 will be provided to these organisations in 2018.
In 2017, Ireland joined the European Commission-led West Bank Protection Consortium, underlining our commitment to reducing the vulnerability of Palestinian communities living in Area C of the West Bank. The Consortium has played a leading role in supporting threatened communities and coordinating the provision of essential services, including material assistance and legal aid. Funding of €200,000 was provided to the Consortium in 2018. A further €75,000 will be provided this year to support the Israeli-Palestinian NGO, COMET-ME, which provides potable water and solar power to isolated communities at risk in the West Bank.
Ireland also supports initiatives in the area of peacebuilding, aimed in particular at sharing lessons and inspiration from the Northern Ireland peace process. A total of €220,000 will be provided to organisations working in Israel and Palestine for peacebuilding programmes in 2018.
In addition, two of Ireland’s key NGO partners, Trócaire and Christian Aid, allocate a portion of their overall Irish Aid funding for work with Palestinian and Israeli civil society organisations which are also involved in a range of humanitarian, development and peace building programmes. A total of over €1 million has been allocated for these programmes in 2018.
Ireland is committed to continuing support to civil society organisations as part of our overall programme of support to the Palestinian people. Further funding levels will be considered in the context of the overall budget allocation available to the overseas development programme in 2019.
