221. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 11 June 2026, if officials will make contact with Irish citizens (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52483/26]

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has activated crisis protocols to ensure a coordinated approach to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda. This approach includes contingency planning with all missions across the region, including our Embassy in Nairobi, and close cooperation with the Department of Health and the HSE.

My Department, including through our missions in the region, is cooperating with relevant local health authorities, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and other partners to closely monitor the situation. We have updated our travel advice for the DRC and Uganda, as well as for neighbouring countries, including Kenya, to reflect public health advice regarding Ebola. Our embassies are also liaising with local partners and other donors across the regions affected by Ebola, which, for now, do not include Kenya.

My Department is in contact with Irish citizens and our NGO partners in the region to provide advice and updates. At this time, no specific outreach has been made to Irish citizens in Kenya in relation to Ebola. This approach reflects the fact that there are currently no confirmed cases in Kenya. Should the situation change, our Embassy stands ready to engage with our citizens. Citizens that wish to be kept informed of any major updates affecting Irish citizens in Kenya are advised to register with the Department at www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/citizens-registration/

In the case that the citizen referred to by the Deputy requires consular assistance or advice, her family can reach the Embassy in Nairobi through the website at www.ireland.ie/en/kenya/nairobi/contact/ or by phone on +254 020 513 5300 or +254 716 353 999.

More broadly on Ebola response, Ireland has provided €3 million for the WHO General Programme of Work so far in 2026. This is used to support the WHO’s health protection function, specifically for the detection of and response to infectious disease outbreaks, including this Ebola outbreak. An additional contribution of €2 million has also been provided for the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies. This Emergency Fund has released €3.3 million to support the government-led operational response in the DRC and in Uganda in relation to infection prevention and control. Ireland’s NGO partners have also drawn down contingency funding and accessed items from our humanitarian stockpiles.

My Department will continue to monitor developments closely and will maintain contact with Irish citizens across the region.