54. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that has been allocated by Irish Aid to the provision of anti-retroviral drugs and the prevention of HIV, particularly in the wake of cuts to PEPFAR in the United States, in each of the years 2023, 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55780/26]

The Government's international development policy, A Better World, commits to sustained efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3, better health and well-being for all. This includes combating HIV/AIDS, as well as accelerating progress toward universal health coverage. Through our aid programme we place an emphasis on reaching those furthest behind, particularly women and girls, and we have a strong commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights and to strengthening health systems.

We provide support to global health, research and civil society partners, which contributes to the provision of anti-retroviral medicines for people living with HIV and to measures that prevent new HIV infections. Ireland’s largest contribution to HIV response is to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Last year, we announced an increase in funding to the Global Fund, committing €72 million for the period 2026 -2028.

Our support includes financing the procurement and delivery of antiretroviral treatment, expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and other tools to prevent vertical transmission. We support the development of new prevention technologies, supporting community-led services for populations most at risk, and strengthening international standards and health systems necessary for sustained HIV prevention and treatment.

Since 2003, the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has been operating in over fifty countries. Providing anti-retroviral drugs is a key aspect of its programming. In January 2025, a temporary freeze to funding was announced and, since then, a restructuring of its programmes has been underway at reduced funding levels. We have been monitoring developments through our mission network and through our partners.

Details of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance are published in the Irish Aid Annual Report. Information is provided below on the funding we have provided to organisations working, to a significant degree, to provide anti-retroviral medicines for people living with HIV and to prevent new HIV infections, for the period 2023 to 2024. Confirmed data for 2025 will be available in the coming months, and the data for 2026 during 2027.