Irish Aid is to increase its core funding to United Nations development agencies from €62 million to €84 million.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Conor Lenihan, who is responsible for administering the Irish Aid programme, announced details of new strategic partnerships with UN agencies yesterday.
The partnerships are being agreed with Unicef, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Mr Lenihan said Irish Aid achieved many of its goals through very strong partnerships, with development NGOs, missionaries and UN agencies.
Yesterday's announcement "recognises the effectiveness of the UN, in particular Unicef, in meeting Irish Aid priorities on the ground", Mr Lenihan said.
He said the partnerships would make Irish Aid's funding more predictable and ensure it was used strategically. The increased contribution will ensure better value for money, he added.
Unicef's director of emergency programmes, Dan O'Toole, said that thanks to Ireland's commitment, the agency had been able to provide life-saving interventions when it mattered most.