State pledges €30m yearly for overseas AIDS

THE Government has pledged that a special HIV/AIDS fund of €30m announced as part of its overseas aid budget this year will not be a “once-off measure”.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed yesterday that the sum would be "replenished on an annual basis" as the Government was committed to ensuring the fight against HIV/AIDS remained a priority within the Ireland Aid programme.

Speaking at a reception in Dublin to mark World AIDS Day, Mr Ahern outlined how the Government has spent €40m this year through Ireland Aid on combating the disease in a number of African countries where at least 10% of the adult population are infected with HIV.