Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The countries outlined by the Deputy are termed "programme countries" and are thus a particular focus for the Government's aid programme, Irish Aid. The objectives of the aid programme in each programme country are poverty reduction and sustainable development. We address fundamental human needs such as food security, basic education, primary health care and safe water supplies. We also emphasise capacity-building and good governance.

Ireland delivers its aid in those programme countries through a variety of channels including government systems, direct implementation, non-governmental organisations, NGOs, and the multilateral system, including UN agencies.

Irish Aid's total funding to Mozambique in 2006 will amount to approximately €40 million. Irish Aid assists in the implementation of the national poverty reduction plan. Aid is focused on sectors including health, education, agriculture, HIV-AIDS and good governance. Irish Aid also works closely with the Clinton Foundation and the Government of Mozambique to deliver essential life-saving drugs to sufferers of AIDS.

In Uganda, our aid programme funds the Ugandan Government's poverty eradication action plan, which is the key framework within which international donors deliver assistance. Support is concentrated on the areas of governance, health, HIV-AIDS and education. In 2006, support of €4 million has been provided to Irish NGOs such as Concern, GOAL and Trócaire. Funding is also provided to the United Nations World Food Programme, WFP, and Oxfam for emergency operations in northern Uganda. Overall, assistance to Uganda will amount to approximately €36 million in 2006.

Ireland's aid to Ethiopia in 2006 will amount to approximately €35 million. The aid is spent primarily on addressing the needs of the rural poor, for example, by supporting the provision of basic health care at village level, combating the spread of HIV-AIDS, funding teacher-training and strengthening the public service. The social safety nets programme, funded and originated by Ireland, is a UN-monitored fund that provides the poorest Ethiopians with cash or food in exchange for labour. It is keeping approximately 7 million Ethiopians from falling into dire poverty and starvation.

Tanzania's national poverty reduction strategy provides the framework for Ireland's support to the country. The Irish Aid programme of approximately €27 million in 2006 provides support regarding education, health, HIV-AIDS, agriculture and governance.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

Approximately €20 million was allocated for Ireland's aid to Zambia in 2006. The focus of the programme is on basic needs and poverty reduction through support for health, education, water and sanitation, and governance, with particular emphasis on HIV-AIDS. Ireland also works in Zambia's Northern Province meeting the basic water needs of thousands of families in remote areas. In 2006, Irish funding has enabled the provision of safe drinking water and improved sanitation to over 80,000 people.

Irish Aid is having a definite, positive and sustained impact in the areas where we work. In Mozambique, with Irish Aid assistance, from 2004 to 2005, 83 clinics were built and over 250,000 people received HIV testing and counselling services. With Ireland's support, immunisation rates against childhood diseases in Uganda now stand at 84% for the entire country. Ireland's support to the very poor Tigray region of Ethiopia in 2006 led to the construction of over 500 wells, 100 water points and 145 primary schools.

A detailed account of all Irish Aid's programmes, projects and results, as well as an analysis of funding, is available in the annual reports, which are placed in the Oireachtas Library.

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