The Irish Government has said it will give €5m in core funding to the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

The money will be used to deliver healthcare, education, humanitarian relief and social services - including food assistance - to 5.4 million Palestine refugees.

Ireland's total funding to the Palestinian people last year was €15.38m.

The funding is to address humanitarian and development needs, providing emergency assistance to the most vulnerable while also supporting the Palestinian Authority in public service delivery and civil society organisations.

Tánaiste Simon Coveney says: "The ongoing conflict in the Middle East region has meant an increased demand for UNRWA's services.

"I have seen these needs first hand during my regular visits to the region, as well as the significant operational challenges faced by UNRWA."

"Ireland responded by significantly increasing our funding to UNRWA last year through additional contributions.

"Today's announcement of €5m in core funding for UNRWA reflects Ireland’s abiding commitment to the vital work of UNRWA."

The Government says Ireland's support to the Palestinian people over more than two decades reflects its "longstanding commitment to justice for the Palestinian people and to the development of a viable, sovereign Palestinian state."

Between 2005 and 2018, Ireland has provided some €55m to UNRWA's programme budget, with €7.25m last year - an increase of €3.25m.

Ireland also provided €1.5m in 2018 to UNRWA's Syria Regional Crisis Emergency Appeal and €0.25m to UNRWA's Gaza Emergency Appeal.

This year Ireland is raising its initial contribution by 20% to €5m, and will seek to provide further funding in the second half of the year.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl last week appealed for US$1.2bn (€1.05bn) for all operations this year.

"This is the exact amount we mobilised in 2018. In other words, if every donor could maintain its level of contribution from last year we would cover the financial needs", he says.

It follows a US decision in 2018 to cease funding to UNRWA.