Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

With respect to governance, we always describe the countries we work with in terms of our overseas development aid as partner countries. That is how we perceive them and we want to partner with them in embarking on a journey that is very similar to the one experienced by Ireland over the past 50 years. While we are anxious to continue to commit funds to healthcare, education and gender equality matters in all these locations, it is incredibly important that they have strong governance structures in place in order that ultimately, having made these commitments with funds, they would have the maximum possible impact. We work with governments in developing their health and education systems, as well as their expertise to be able to use these funds with the maximum possible impact.

For example, we work with a number of African governments in developing a social welfare system that we would perceive to be absolutely normal in this country. We have vast experience that we can share with those countries. Governments are now using what are called social cash transfer models, transferring cash directly to women at the heads of households across Africa, which has a very significant impact in lifting those families out of poverty. We are also focusing on girls in education. Ultimately, the long-term solution for gender inequality internationally would have girls in education as a key element. We are investing very heavily in putting girls in education. In many countries young girls drop out of education in their early teens, never to return, and consequently we have some really powerful programmes to support such girls to remain in education.

These are the primary areas in which we invest. Governance is a major element. We can continue to disperse funds but if the partner countries does not have the required expertise at government and civil society level to use those funds effectively and create a legacy impact long after the funds are gone, we would be on a hiding to nothing. That is ultimately why we work on strengthening those areas.