Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

——they are very much engaged in delivering their own programmes. As I said, they deliver an enormous percentage of the overall Irish Aid budget on the ground. Indeed they are one of the key delivery mechanisms on behalf of the taxpayer.

As regards small projects, a system is in place for micro-funding, up to a limit of €20,000. The application process is relatively simple. They are considered every couple of months and decisions are made on them. I do not see any deficiency in the system, as I understand it. Certainly, for very small NGOs comprising one or two people, the system may be difficult and we can have a look at that.

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