I propose to take Questions Nos. 379 and 382 together.
The achievement of universal access to reproductive health is one of the objectives of the Programme of Action agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994. It is also an objective of the Beijing Platform for Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted in 2000. Specifically, the fifth of the eight MDGs is to reduce the maternal mortality rate by 75% by 2015.
The 2010 Report on progress towards the MDGs which was launched recently by the UN Secretary General, notes that some progress has been achieved in reducing maternal mortality, with significant progress in a number of countries. However, the rate of reduction is still short of the progress needed if the MDG target is to be met. Fewer than half the women giving birth in Sub Saharan Africa are attended by skilled health personnel. Poor women, especially in rural communities, face particular challenges in accessing antenatal care. The UN report also notes that poverty and lack of education continue to contribute to high adolescent birth rates in poor countries. It recognises the link between slow progress on the achievement of universal access to reproductive health care and low levels of empowerment of women and lack of access by girls to secondary education.
Through Irish Aid, the Government is working in close cooperation with a number of key UN agencies in the UN to address maternal health issues in developing countries. The implementation of the Cairo Programme of Action forms part of the core mandate of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with which we have developed a close working partnership. In recognition of the UNFPA's important mandate, the Government has contributed significant levels of funding to the agency in recent years. In total, over the six years 2005-2010, the Government has provided €26.5 million for the work of the UNFPA.
In addition, through the bilateral aid programme, Irish Aid's regional programmes on malaria and HIV and AIDS promote interventions which contribute significantly to a reduction in mortality in women of reproductive age. Our support for health sector programmes in African countries in particular, promotes reproductive health and HIV protection for young people. Specific NGO support is also provided to deal with gender based violence. Irish Aid is also supporting maternal health improvements through our global partnerships with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria and the International Partnerships for Microbicides.
Ireland has made a specific contribution in recent months to preparations for the review of progress on MDG 5 at the forthcoming Review Summit in New York. Ireland organised a high level panel discussion on maternal mortality at the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN in New York in March. The theme of the event was Overcoming Barriers and Accelerating Progress towards MDG5. Discussions focused on how to accelerate progress between now and 2015, defining a number of key actions for policy makers in advance of the Summit.