Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - United Nations Children's Fund.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

103 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of Government funding provided to the United Nations Childrens Fund; if he has satisfied himself with the Irish contribution over the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland's contributions to the UN Children's Fund over the past five years were as follows:

Year	Contribution
	£
1989	118,000
1990	223,000
1991	420,000
1992	240,000
1993	600,000

With the exception of 1992, the picture since 1989 has been one of steady upward movement. However theProgramme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997 recognised the need for an increase in our voluntary contributions to UN agencies. In line with this commitment our contribution to UNICEF this year has increased to £600,000. This represented a three-fold increase over the 1992 figure and is the highest annual contribution made to UNICEF to date.

As well as our annual contributions, Ireland frequently channels emergency funding for specific purposes through UNICEF. An example is the recent donation of £100,000 to UNICEF for use in Southern Sudan in the framework of Operation Lifeline Sudan.