Ireland grants 1.5 million euros to PA

Ireland agreed to donate 1.5 million euros ($2 million) to the Palestinian Authority through a European fund, a statement from PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's office said Monday. Fayyad and Head of Ireland's Representative Office to the PA James Carroll, signed the deal on Monday in Fayyad's Ramallah office, the release said. The premier said 1 million euros will be used for civil servant's salaries, and the remainder on social welfare aid, through the European Commission’s PEGASE mechanism. "This grant is part of Ireland's considerable efforts to help the PA and the Palestinian people," Fayyad said.