The European Parliament has given the green light for Ireland to receive an advance payment of €23m to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The money will come from the EU Solidarity Fund which is normally used for natural disasters.
In total Ireland will get about €100m.
Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin Barry Andrews says the cash will be used to help the health service.
"This is a fund that's normally used for natural disasters, so it will be applied in the Irish health service to reflect the pressures that have come as a result of Covid.
"It's very welcome - we will get €100m in due course. When you look at the allocations to other countries it's a very good amount."
