A new four-year deal between Government agency Irish Aid and the United Nations was unveiled today as Irish core funding for UN development programmes is set to exceed €86.44 million this year.
The deal - which will see Irish Aid agree partnerships with Unicef, the UN Development Programme and the UN High Commission for Refugees for the next four years - is expected to allow for improved strategic planning by the UN development agencies.
Announcing the package today the Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, Conor Lenihan, said core funding to UN programmes had risen by €23.54 million from last year.
He added that Ireland's commitment until 2011 would make the delivery of Irish aid "more predictable".
"Irish Aid achieves many of its goals through very strong partnerships, with development NGOs, missionaries and UN agencies," he said. The Minister added that the partnerships would ensure that money donated was used strategically.
Director of Emergency Programmes for Unicef, Dan Toole said: "Thanks to Ireland's longstanding and future commitment to children, Unicef has been able to provide life-saving interventions when it matters most."
Core contributions by Irish Aid to Unicef have tripled in the last five years.
The Government also pledged €14.75 million to the organisation for 2007, an increase of €4 million since last year.