Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
84. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance that Ireland has given directly to the Moldovan government to help deal with the humanitarian and refugee crisis following the illegal invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra91. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government response to the Moldovan humanitarian appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the support Ireland is giving to Moldova to help it deal with the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra145. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the support and assistance given by the Irish Government to Moldova to help meet the immediate needs of refugees located there following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; if direct financial assistance can be given to the Moldovan government to assist with the long-term complex needs of these refugees; if the €1 million pledged by the Government to date will be increased; the progress made regarding the relocation of 500 refugees in Moldova to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22633/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 91, 107 and 145 together.
Moldova’s response to the Ukraine crisis, in particular its hosting of large numbers of refugees, is remarkable. Minister Coveney discussed Ireland’s assistance to Moldova on several occasions, including at the Support Conference for Moldova on 5 April and in his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Popescu in the margins of FAC on 11 April.
Ireland is supporting Moldova through the Irish Aid programme. One quarter of the €20 million humanitarian package has been allocated to the UNHCR Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) for neighbouring countries hosting Ukrainian refugees, 22% of which is earmarked for Moldova. The total RRP to date is over €1.7 billion.
In addition, a dedicated €1 million in Irish Aid funding supports UNHCR’s work specifically in Moldova. Irish Aid has also provided €1.5 million to UNFPA, whose work in Moldova focuses on the protection of women and girls.
Many of Ireland’s humanitarian partners are expanding their activities to support the Moldovan government’s response to the crisis. Last week, I announced that €500,000 will be awarded to Plan International as part of Irish Aid’s Civil Society Fund for Ukraine, which includes support to Moldova. Irish Aid has also granted €1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross, which works through the Moldovan Red Cross.
Ireland provides humanitarian assistance through trusted humanitarian agencies to deliver aid quickly. This is done in coordination with central and local governments. We encourage our long-standing UN partners to also use prepositioned funding from Ireland to respond to the situation in Ukraine and neighbouring countries like Moldova.
Together the EU and its Member States have provided nearly a combined €1 billion in humanitarian assistance for Ukraine. The European Commission’s revised Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) includes support to the RRP and additional funding of €13 million to Moldova.
Ireland has committed to receive up to 500 Ukrainian refugees from Moldova and my Department is working with the Departments of Justice and of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the transfer of the first group in the coming weeks.
