Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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94. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to detail the extensive military support provided by Ireland to Ukraine further to his opening remarks at the annual EU Heads of Missions lunch (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26273/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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95. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way it is intended to continue the military support to Ukraine further to his opening remarks at the annual EU Heads of Missions lunch (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26274/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of EU efforts to provide both civil and military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Ireland remains steadfast in our support for EU efforts to help Ukraine defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This includes the provision of non-lethal military support via the European Peace Facility and the training of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel through EUMAM Ukraine.

EU military aid to date has primarily been provided via the European Peace Facility (EPF) and Ireland’s current commitment – which is directed solely towards non-lethal assistance - stands at approximately €250 million. This helps to supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel. Of this sum, Ireland has disbursed approximately €25.5 million from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Vote 28 to date.

In addition to this support under the EPF, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was established by the EU in October 2022. The Mission provides specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinates Member State training activities. It has trained approximately 52,000 Ukrainian soldiers as of May 2024.

In February 2023, the Government approved the participation of Defence Forces’ personnel in EUMAM Ukraine. Their primary role is to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the EU Member States in which the training will take place. Ireland also provides a small number of staff positions in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Belgium and the Special Training Command (STC) in Germany.

To date, the Defence Forces have delivered 11 training modules to 455 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in areas such as tactical combat casualty care/combat lifesaver, demining/mine clearance, and drill instruction training. Ireland has also donated demining equipment to Ukraine (mine flails) and provided training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces on this equipment. The Defence Forces are currently planning other modules and identifying other opportunities for support.

To date, Ireland has disbursed €4.53million from the Department of Defence’s Vote 36 under the EPF in relation to funding the EUMAM Ukraine support (to support the common costs of the Mission and the Mission’s non-lethal assistance measure). Further contributions by Ireland are expected to take place this calendar year.

Alongside the previously reported donations of ready to eat meals, body armour and the mine flails referenced above, the delivery of 30 Defence Forces vehicles to Ukraine has commenced, with the final delivery expected to be made by early July. The donation consists of 20 pickup trucks, 2 ambulances, 7 Demountable Rack Offload and Pickup System (DROPS) logistics trucks and 1 recovery vehicle from the Defence Forces fleet. Further non-lethal equipment donations are envisaged into the future as and when opportunities arise.