Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We allocate approximately €10 million per annum to the World Food Programme. While some people may argue that we have enough hunger at home, if we were to decide not to spend this money, it would not be possible to transfer the allocation into other parts of the budget because it forms part of Ireland's aid commitment as a percentage of gross domestic product. This funding has traditionally been provided by the Department because of its responsibility for food. Funding for the World Food Programme is essentially untied aid to the world's largest provider, by some distance, of food and supplies to people who are starving as a result of natural disasters such as drought. The programme requires flexibility in the area of expenditure and the Department provides it with a significant allocation every year. While this funding has spin-off benefits for the county, its primary purpose is to feed people who are starving. Given the work done by the World Food Programme, it would be difficult to persuade me to depart from our position of providing this support.