Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 31 and 36 together.

The Government has provided a total allocation of €728 million in Vote 29, international co-operation, for 2007. A further €85 million will be allocated to overseas development through other Departments, bringing the total allocation in 2007 to €813 million. This represents an increase of €128 million on the 2006 level of funding in Vote 29.

This allocation, the highest in the history of the programme, will meet the Government's interim target of spending 0.5% of GNP on overseas development aid. It emphasises our commitment to the developing world and ensures Ireland will continue to be one of the most generous donors on a per capita basis when compared to its EU partners and other OECD countries. It also demonstrates that Ireland is well on track to fulfilling our commitment to meet the UN target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012. The increased funding will enable us to deliver on the commitments contained in the recently published White Paper on Irish Aid.

Various areas will be scaled up. The emergency and humanitarian assistance budget line will be increased by 50% from €60 million to €90 million. This will substantially enhance our level of response to worldwide humanitarian emergencies. Investment will continue in the rapid response initiative, which will provide a uniquely Irish contribution to enhancing the international humanitarian system in 2007. In line with the overall increase in the Vote, significant increases are planned in the allocation to Irish and international NGOs, expected to be over €100 million in 2007. These increases reflect the importance we attach to the work of our partner NGOs and the way their work complements the Irish Aid programme.

One key priority for 2007 will be to increase and enhance public information activities and to strengthen public ownership and awareness of the work of Irish Aid. In 2007, an information centre will be established in Dublin city, where members of the public can access information available on volunteering opportunities and development issues more generally. This shopfront will also showcase the Government's overseas aid programme and engage in other public information activities for the aid programme. The Government will continue its support for combating HIV-AIDS and other communicable diseases in the developing world, with plans to spend at least €100 million next year. This is in line with the commitment the Taoiseach gave in New York when the new timeframe of 2012 was set.

The Estimates show significant increases are planned in contributions to the UN and other development agencies. Over the next several weeks, I will hold a series of bilateral meetings with the heads of agencies in New York before a final decision is taken on those 2007 funding allocations.

I welcome the support which the House has given to the increased aid funding. I look forward to the co-operation of Deputies as the aid programme expands.

See this speech in context