Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2023
85. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if funding was provided to UNFPA supplies, the thematic programme of UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, dedicated to expanding access to family planning, in 2022; if he intends to allocate funding to this programme in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10500/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is an important partner for Ireland and we will provide €4.5 million in unearmarked core funding this year. This is an increase of €500,000 on last year's core funding to UNFPA.
Ireland also provides bilateral funding to UNFPA through our Embassies and their development programmes on the ground. In 2022, Embassies funded UNFPA work in Ethiopia, Liberia, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania.
Since last year, we have increased our humanitarian engagement with UNFPA, providing €1.5m to UNFPA’s Appeal for Ukraine and €2m to UNFPA for its work in response to the drought in the Horn of Africa. In recent weeks, we have announced provision of a further €1 million in humanitarian support for UNFPA for its response to the earthquake in Türkiye.
No specific funding for the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Trust Fund was provided in 2022. However, we are planning to provide €2 million to the UNFPA Supplies Partnership Trust Fund in 2023. The UNFPA Supplies Partnership, one of the world’s largest providers of donated contraceptives, carries out vital work. This contribution is in line with our international development priorities, as set out in our international development policy A Better World and the Sustainable Development Goals.
