Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 February 2024
10. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to report on his efforts to ensure that international funding to UNWRA is protected and increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5051/24]
View answerIreland is a long-standing and consistent supporter of the work of UNRWA, which is vital for the welfare of over 2 million people in Gaza. The work of the Agency in providing basic services to the population has never been more important than in the current appalling circumstances.
The allegations that 12 members of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza may have been involved in the horrific attacks of 7 October must be taken seriously and accountability upheld. The UNRWA Commissioner General and the UN Secretary General have taken immediate action, terminating the contracts of a number of staff and instituting an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services.
Ireland was one of the first States to express clear support for UNRWA's actions in response to these allegations. We have also stated that Ireland has no plans to suspend funding to UNRWA. Ireland restated this position at a special meeting of major donors in New York on 30 January, where the UN Secretary General expressed his gratitude for the public statements made by Ireland in support of UNRWA. We are encouraging other partners to maintain their support for the Agency at this critical moment.
In recent years, Ireland's annual funding for UNRWA has been in the region of €6 million. During 2023, we increased this to €8 million and, in response to the catastrophic humanitarian situation following the outbreak of conflict in October, we provided a further €10 million in core funding. We therefore provided a total of €18 million in core funding to UNRWA in 2023, our highest level ever. Our total humanitarian and development assistance to the Palestinian people amounted to €36 million.
The international donors which have announced suspensions of funding constitute some 70% of UNRWA’s total funding for its work with Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. We are committed to continuing Ireland's support and will review our planned support for 2024 in light of developments on the ground.
