Written Answers Nos. 31-49
32. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will include key performance indicators for waiting lists for psychological therapy in the upcoming Health Service Executive plan 2014; if he will include indicators to measure not only the number of mental health service users but also the outcome of the use of these services to monitor and improve the services over time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54087/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health works on an ongoing collaborative basis with the HSE in developing and refining performance measures across all service areas, including mental health, to ensure that they are as robust and meaningful as possible and reflect key priorities and international best practice as well as being comparable both within the EU and further afield.
The National Director for Mental Health indicated that, during 2014, the HSE will develop a metric to collect information in relation to the numbers waiting for psychological therapy in the mental health services, to pilot the collection of the metric, with a view to including it in the 2015 service planning process.
The development of outcome measures in the absence of an ICT system in mental health is more complex. However, it is planned to build on the work currently underway in developing KPI's for General Adult and Psychiatry of Old Age Community Mental Health Teams to focus on developing access and quality metrics during 2014.
33. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will set out the exact sequence of events that led to the issuing of letters to families of persons who contracted narcolepsy as a result of the Pandemrix vaccine, withdrawing Health Service Executive support, and the subsequent withdrawal of that letter; when he first became aware of this development; the contact his office had with the State Claims Agency and with the HSE in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54116/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of identified sufferers of narcolepsy; the extent to which supportive arrangements are in place or remain to be put in place in respect of such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54691/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 256 together.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my sympathy and concern for the children and adults diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination and indeed their families who are also affected by this. My priority has always been that my Department, the HSE and other Government Departments work together to provide appropriate supports tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
As the Deputy is aware, legal action has recently been initiated by six families alleging personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on individual cases.
Following the receipt of letters from solicitors representing the six individuals who have indicated their intention to initiate legal proceedings, legal advices were obtained by my Department recommending delegation of the management of these cases and, any subsequent similar cases to the State Claims Agency.
A Government Decision to give effect to this approach was obtained in October and allowed the Taoiseach to sign the National Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013 on 15 October. The management of the cases then transferred to the State Claims Agency.
The State Claims Agency informed the HSE that it should cease making ongoing out of pocket payments to individuals who have initiated legal action and that these individuals should, as happens in every comparable litigated case, include these expenses as party of any special damages claim. The expenses claimed included cost of accommodation, travel and other out of pocket expenses.
Ongoing or future out of pocket expenses of litigants, arising from the action on which the litigation is based, forms part of the broader assessment of damages at the conclusion of the action whether at trial or where a settlement has been agreed. This is the normal practice in legal proceedings.
I became aware of the withdrawal of the letter by the HSE on the day it occurred. The HSE's own communications states that it was never the intention to withdraw discretionary medical cards or the provision of other health benefits and supports. The HSE has apologised for any distress or upset caused and is clarifying the situation with the families involved.
In relation to the number of identified cases, the Irish Medicines Board has received 50 reports to date which confirm a diagnosis of narcolepsy with symptom onset following pandemic vaccination.
34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the levels of maternal mortality among migrant women when compared with women born here, as evidenced by the Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland report which showed that, although 75.4% of maternities in Ireland in 2010 were women of Irish nationality, 40% of all maternal deaths identified in the triennium 2009-2011 occurred in women who were not born here; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54114/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra35. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the disproportionate numbers of maternal deaths to women of black minority ethnic status and the action he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53984/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.
The Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland report (2009-2011) confirms that the number of maternal mortalities in Ireland is small. While the Report does not specify ethnicity, 10 of the 25 deaths reported in the three year period were women not born in Ireland. There was no evidence of clustering of cases in any one hospital.
A significant issue identified in the report was engagement with maternity services and the importance of the availability of interpretive services. A similar report in the UK identified late presentation, poor attendance and poor engagement as risk factors. The HSE is working to ensure that all women, regardless of ethnicity, engage fully with health care services as early as possible in their pregnancy. With regard to women who come from outside of Ireland, one of the initiatives under development is a standardised model for the provision of interpretive services. This will ensure that patients and health care staff have access to an appropriate translation service when required and that the importance of engaging with maternity services is fully understood.
Pregnant women who have underlying medical conditions are identified as having a higher level of risk to their health in pregnancy. A particular concern highlighted by the report was the issue of non-Irish national patients receiving alternative medical advice from outside the country. It is therefore important to ensure that this cohort of women have access to appropriate medical advice and information in Ireland including pre-conceptual counselling and referral to specialist consultants. To this end a range of health information resources are translated into foreign languages and made available as appropriate.
36. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health his views on whether changes to tax relief for health insurance will disproportionately hit those over the age of 50; if he has considered any policy measures to offset this disproportionate impact on elderly peoples premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54122/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2014, the Minister for Finance announced a cap on tax relief on premia for private health insurance. From 16 October 2013, tax relief for medical insurance premiums has been restricted to the first €1,000 per adult and the first €500 per child insured. Any portion of premium paid in excess of these ceilings will no longer qualify for tax relief. The measure is projected to save the Exchequer €94 m in 2014 and €127 m in a full year.
The new ceilings will ensure some continuing support via the tax system for those who purchase private medical insurance policies, while reducing Exchequer exposure to more expensive policies. This will affect some consumers, including those over the age of 50, depending on the cost of the policies that they purchase. While individuals can of course opt for less expensive policies and therefore avoid the impact of this measure, it is important that they fully understand the level of cover their policy provides.
Many consumers can make savings on their health insurance premiums by reviewing the level of cover to ensure that their needs are being met, without being over-insured. The Health Insurance Authority provides information to consumers regarding their rights and also on health insurance plans and benefits. The HIA's web-site, www.hia.ie, has a useful plan comparison tool which assists in finding suitable and competitive health insurance plans.
With regard to health insurance costs generally, I have consistently emphasised the vital need to address the rising cost of private health insurance and the necessity for all private health insurers to address their cost base aggressively. Last year, I established the Consultative Forum on Health Insurance to generate ideas to address health insurance costs. In June of this year, I appointed an independent Chairperson, Mr. Pat McLoughlin, to work with my Department and the insurers on a review process to give effect to real cost reductions in the private health insurance market. Mr. McLoughlin recently submitted his report under phase 1 of the review process and the contents are being examined by myself and the health insurers. The second phase of this review will commence immediately and will report within three months.
I will continue to focus on addressing costs in the private health insurance market, to keep insurance as affordable as possible for people who wish to avail of private health insurance. The Government's clear objective is for the health insurance market to remain as competitive and affordable as possible, as we move towards a new system of Universal Health Insurance.
37. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health in view of the new Health Service Executive service plan, if he will provide a full report on the progress of the implementation on the Disability Act, including an update on the national roll-out of network disability teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54099/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 2 of the Disability Act 2005 provides, inter alia, for an assessment of the needs of eligible applicants occasioned by their disability to be commenced within three months of receipt of an application and completed within a further three months. This Part of the Act was commenced on 1st June 2007 in respect of children aged 5.
There has been a very significant rise in overall activity around the assessment process in recent years in respect of the children now encompassed by the process. The number of application assessments received in 2012 was 3,505 which is over 400 applications more than in 2010. In 2013, a further increase in applications has been experienced. While the HSE faces significant challenges in respect of meeting the statutory time-frames which apply to the assessment of need process, given the number and complexity of cases, it is endeavouring to address the issue within available resources.
The assessment process under the Disability Act 2005 can take place in parallel with any intervention which is identified as necessary for the child. The HSE has issued guidance to its staff to this effect. In addition, the HSE has instituted measures which include: prioritising assessments, holding additional clinics, contracting the private sector to conduct assessments and reconfiguring resources to target greatest need.
With regard to the roll-out of network disability teams, following the publication of a report from the National Disability Authority, commissioned by my Department and the HSE, a major emphasis is being placed on reconfiguring disability services for children into geographically-based early intervention and school aged teams. This is being done as part of the HSE's Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People Programme, which is underway. Of the twenty five HSE areas, six now have network early intervention and school age teams in operation. A further five areas have network early intervention teams in place and are developing school age services.
39. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he intends to recoup additional payments to senior management in health and disability agencies; the way he plans to do same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54124/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs has been reported extensively, a considerable number of Section 38 agencies have been found to be in breach of Government pay policy with regard to the remuneration of senior staff.
The HSE has a team of senior managers following up with individual agencies and the Director General of the HSE met with the Chairpersons and the CEOs of all the Section 38 organisations last Thursday. Further and separate meetings are being held by senior HSE managers with all of the disability organisations and hospitals concerned this week to ensure that a clear plan to achieve full compliance with health sector pay policy is developed with each agency.
The question of recoupment will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
As indicated above the HSE is urgently meeting individual agencies and it is important that due process is followed.
40. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene to either ensure an operation takes place with immediate effect or ensure regular scans take place to monitor the possible growth of the colloid cyst in respect of a person (details supplied). [53986/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which progress is being achieved in regard to the provision of the proposed new children’s hospital; the extent to which planning or other preliminaries have been advanced to date; if it is expected that consultancy costs arising from previous proposals in respect of the project are likely to bring about any reduction in the current costs; when it is expected that construction work is likely to start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54081/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new children's hospital project is a priority for this Government. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board is the body responsible for the capital project. Last August, I announced appointments to this Board to replace the transitional Board which had been in place since January this year. These appointments bring architectural, planning, procurement, engineering and construction expertise to the project. In August I also announced appointments to the Children's Hospital Group Board which, as client for the project, will play a key role in ensuring the new hospital is optimally designed and completed as swiftly as possible. In November, the Programme Director of the Development Board and the CEO of the Children's Hospital Group were appointed. The CEO of the Children's Hospital Group will play a central role in driving the integration of the three hospitals, and the project as a whole.
Prior to the commencement of construction, key elements of the project include design development, decant works for the site and planning permission. The new Development Board has reviewed the design team procurement process, which had been initiated in July, and decided on a change of approach based on its collective expertise and taking into account changing market conditions. While this means that the design team will be selected in Spring 2014, rather than by the end of this year as originally planned, the Development Board is confident there will be no delay to the project overall. Pre-application planning discussions have commenced, a masterplan for the St. James's Hospital campus is being prepared and St. James's Hospital is working closely with the Development Board and the HSE in relation to the decant phase of the project. Work on the review of urgent care centre configuration is at an advanced stage and I intend to bring proposals in this regard to Government shortly.
In October, the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform announced that up to €200m would be made available for the new Children’s Hospital from the sale of the National Lottery, adding to the existing €450m Exchequer funding. The level of funding now in place underlines the Government’s commitment to this priority project. Also, philanthropic / non-Exchequer funding will be sought to the maximum and most appropriate degree. Work on developing a detailed timeline is continuing, which will reflect the urgency and priority of the project and also its scale and complexity. However, at this stage, the Development Board is confident that construction can begin in Spring 2015.
42. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a birth certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [54542/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraObtaining a birth certificate does not fall under the remit of my Department, however, given the predicament this person finds themselves in the Consular Assistance Section of my Department contacted the Embassy of India in Dublin to discuss the case.The Embassy of India in Dublin noted that they had already advised the person in question that follow up in a case like this should be made in person with the Registrar locally. On receipt of this information, the Consular Assistance Section and the Embassy of Ireland in New Delhi, in conjunction with Dr. Mazumdar-Shaw the Irish Honorary Consul in Karnataka province, contacted the Registrar’s office and were advised that the relevant officer is unavailable until Friday 20 December 2013.
The Consular Assistance Section of my Department will liaise with our Honorary Consul in Karnataka and will forward any information received directly to the person in question.
43. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the role his Department played in the commemorative lecture on the Downing Street Declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54593/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt my invitation, former British Prime Minister John Major delivered a lecture at Iveagh House on 11 December last, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the signing of the Downing Street Declaration on 15 December 1993. The event was hosted and organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This was the third in a series of commemorative lectures forming the Iveagh House Lecture series. Each address has recalled a significant event in our history; the first, by Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson last year, on the centenary of the Ulster Covenant, reflected on the life of Edward Carson, Irish unionism and its place in our political life today. Earlier this year, Governor of Maryland, Martin O’Malley, recalled the visit to Ireland fifty years ago of President John F Kennedy and reflected on Irish American relations.
As the Deputy is aware, we are committed to the commemoration of historical events in a peaceful and inclusive manner, based on the principles of historical accuracy and in cooperation with key partners, at home and abroad. In line with this approach, the lecture was attended by guests from Ireland and Britain, members of both traditions in Northern Ireland, historians, leaders from civil society and elected representatives past and present.
Several of the guests had been involved in the negotiation of the Declaration and in later phases of the Peace Process. I was pleased in particular to welcome Mrs. Kathleen Reynolds, representing her husband former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, and members of her family, as well as former Tánaiste Dick Spring.
My opening address reflected on the significance of the Declaration in paving the way for an eventual IRA ceasefire leading, ultimately, to the conclusion of the Good Friday Agreement. I noted the long, intensive and difficult work undertaken by the governments led by John Major and Albert Reynolds. This work was continued and developed by John Bruton as Taoiseach. I also acknowledged the immense contribution by Senator George Mitchell, who was also in attendance and who spoke about his personal experience of the peace process.
John Major spoke of his work in building Anglo-Irish relations, the approach which underpinned his approach to negotiating peace and of how setbacks were overcome. He spoke also of the deepening of the relationship between Ireland and Britain in the twenty years following the Declaration. His comments, which were broadcast by RTE, were important and insightful, and I appreciated in particular his positive and generous spirit and his encouraging remarks on the future of Northern Ireland.
44. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if data is available on the costs of hosting students from developing countries in Ireland for 2013 and for subsequent years until 2015; if so, what the figures are in absolute numbers; and how much of this is included in the amount reported as overseas development assistance expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54600/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland provides support to post-graduate students from developing countries through a number of initiatives under the Government’s development cooperation programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The primary initiative is the Fellowship Training Programme, the objective of which is to strengthen the capacity of partner organisations benefiting from Ireland’s support in our key partner countries. Fellowships are targeted at mid-career professionals who, on completion of the Programme, have committed to putting their acquired skills into practice for the benefit of the partner organisation and the wider community. Fellowship awards are also aligned to priorities and thematic areas identified in Ireland’s country strategy programmes in our key partner countries.
The fellowships are awarded annually to successful candidates from key partner countries (Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia), as well as Palestine, Timor Leste and Burundi for study in Ireland or within their own country or region. From 2014, applications for Fellowships will also be accepted from candidates in Sierra Leone.
Separately, Irish Aid fellowships have been awarded to successful post-graduate applicants from Vietnam under the Irish Development Experience Sharing Programme (IDEAS) and from South Africa under the Kadar Asmal Fellowship Programme. The IDEAS programme involves sharing experience of Ireland’s economic and social development with Vietnam in order to build the capacity of Vietnamese institutions engaged in economic and financial governance. The provision of fellowships for Vietnamese post-graduate students to study in Ireland is an integral component of the programme. The aim of the Kader Asmal Fellowship programme is to strengthen the capacity of partner organisations in South Africa to contribute to the reduction of poverty and vulnerability through economic development.
Each of these programmes is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in cooperation with our Embassies and a management agency, the Irish Council for International Students.
Under the budget for the aid programme, €1.52 million has been provided for the Fellowship Training Programme in 2013. This allocation is for the costs associated with fellowships awarded to study in Ireland or in the fellows’ own country or region. This figure also includes the management agency fees.
Costs of €970,750 will be incurred in 2013 under the Irish Development Experience Sharing Programme for Vietnam, and €63,897 under the Kader Asmal Programme for South Africa. All of this funding is counted towards the calculation of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance.
The precise allocations for fellowships for 2014 will be finalised in January and the budget for 2015 will be decided in the context of the annual budgetary process for that year.
45. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the data available on the costs of housing refugees in Ireland in 2012; the figures in absolute numbers and in percentage of the total bilateral overseas development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54601/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatters relating to refugees in Ireland are coordinated by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) under the auspices of the Minister for Justice and Equality. Details of the services and supports available to refugees are published on the website of the linked Reception and Integration Agency. A number of other Government Departments also have responsibilities in this regard, including the Departments of Social Protection, Health and Children, Education and Skills and Foreign Affairs and Trade. Comprehensive information relating to the number of refugees in Ireland or the cost of providing housing for them is not available in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, every year the Department submits to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) details of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) expenditure in the previous year. In line with DAC and internationally-recognised reporting definitions and criteria, donors may include, as eligible ODA, certain expenditure relating to the maintenance of refugees during the first twelve months of their stay in the host country, most notably for the provision of food, shelter and training. Such costs for 2012, estimated at €101,000 by the Department of Justice and Equality, represented only a very small proportion of Ireland’s total ODA spend of €628 million that year. It should be noted that costs associated with the integration of refugees into the economy of the donor country, or resettlement within the donor country, are specifically excluded by the DAC from ODA eligibility.
46. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is any data available on debt relief for 2012; and if so, the figures in absolute numbers and in percentage of total/bilateral overseas development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54602/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is recognised internationally for our contribution to the fight against global poverty and hunger and our leading role in making international aid more effective. We have played a strong role in the development of an international consensus on the issue of debt cancellation for the least developed countries. When the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were being elaborated in 2000 and subsequent years, it was recognised internationally that high levels of external debt were placing a heavy burden on some of the poorest countries in the world. Because they had to use a significant portion of their foreign currency earnings to repay debt, many heavily indebted poor countries could not devote sufficient resources to the achievement of the MDGs, including the Goal to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty.
In 2006 the Irish Government demonstrated its commitment and leadership in the area of debt relief by contributing its full financial share of over €116m to the two main multilateral initiatives to address debt relief, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, while other states opted to pay for this debt cancellation over a much longer period and in smaller instalments.
We have consistently also worked with Governments in our partner countries in Africa to help ensure that the additional money from debt relief has been spent on programmes that benefit the poor. It is important to note that all of Ireland’s development assistance is provided in the form of grants, and not loans.
On 12 December I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Development) which adopted Council Conclusions on “Financing Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development Beyond 2015”. Under these Conclusions, the EU pledges continued support for existing debt relief initiatives and to promote responsible lending and borrowing practices.
As more and more countries graduate from the multilateral debt relief initiatives, the question of how they can maintain their debt at sustainable levels has become more relevant. It is for this reason that Ireland contributes € 100,000 annually to the UNCTAD Debt Management and Financial Analysis System programme which provides software solutions and technical assistance to developing countries to manage their debt sustainably.
47. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the breakdown in foreign aid to Palestine in the past five years. [54604/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has funded programmes of assistance to Palestine for more than two decades reflecting a long-standing commitment to justice for the Palestinian people and to the peaceful development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian State. This funding addresses immediate humanitarian needs, as well as development priorities and the promotion of human rights. The key elements of our programme of assistance include support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the Palestinian Authority (PA), a number of key Palestinian and Israeli NGOs for their work in monitoring the status of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory and to civil society organisations involved in a range of humanitarian, development and peace building programmes.
Ireland’s total funding support to the Palestinian people in each of the last five years amounted to: €10.4 million in 2009, €9.07 million in 2010, €9.6 million in 2011, €11.5 million in 2012 and €10.7 million in 2013.
48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had any recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland or with members of the Northern Ireland Executive in relation to the proposed bill of rights for Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54701/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Parties in this house will share my frustration at the lack of progress on a Bill of Rights. During my visits to Northern Ireland I have been struck by the level of interest amongst a broad swathe of civic society in a Bill of Rights for Northern Ireland, which is a very important outstanding provision of the Good Friday Agreement. I believe that many of the contentious issues around culture and identity have rights at their core and progress on a Bill of Rights could provide a framework for the resolution of such issues. I am in ongoing regular contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with the political parties in Northern Ireland on issues related to full implementation of the Agreement, including a Bill of Rights, and will remain so.
49. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if further assistance under the Irish Aid programme will be provided before the end of this year to assist with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and adjoining areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54702/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe protracted and tragic crisis in Syria has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained response from the international community. As the number of fatalities rises towards 120,000, including 12,000 children under five, there are now approximately nine million people in need of immediate life-saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are currently 2.2 million Syrians who have fled to neighbouring countries. Ireland has been to the fore in the international efforts to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis. We have provided more than €14 million in assistance since the crisis began, of which almost €11.4 million was provided in 2013. In addition, Ireland is an important donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) which this year has allocated US$82 million to Syria and neighbouring countries.
We are currently actively examining future support for Syria and we are preparing for the second pledging conference for Syria and region due to take place in Kuwait on 15 January 2014.
The Government has matched the very significant humanitarian contribution to Syria with support to international efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis. We have called clearly for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have urged all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to call for increased support to the humanitarian relief effort, both within the EU and internationally.
