Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The total official development assistance budget for 2009 will be €696 million. It is anticipated the aid budget will amount to 0.48% of GNP. This will mean that Ireland will most likely remain the sixth largest aid donor in the world as a percentage of GNP. This remains an enormous achievement in the current economic circumstances. The reduction in the aid budget will necessitate modification in planned expenditures across the programme. I want to ensure to the maximum extent possible that projects and programmes which are focused on the most vulnerable and those which are daily saving lives, such as emergency feeding, will be maintained.

In practical terms, the revised aid budget will mean slower disbursement of funding in regard to longer-term development programmes. However, this will not affect the final outputs, such as the number of schools built or teachers trained. We are in continuous contact with our partners on all aspects of programming, including budgets. Adjustments amounting to approximately €118 million will need to be made across the bilateral co-operation element of the aid programme. Support to programme countries and civil society will amount to €313 million, which is about €45 million less than anticipated. This will necessitate the lengthening of timeframes for programme completion. In 2009, Irish Aid will provide well over €100 million to NGOs and civil society.

Our programmes of strategic co-operation with key larger UN development agencies will be maintained, but with lengthened timelines and some reductions in 2009 allocations. We also remain ready to assist in sudden natural disasters and emergencies. Funding of €56 million has been set aside for humanitarian activities, which represents an adjustment of €24 million. Our pre-positioned emergency supplies remain in place and will be replenished as necessary.

In respect to the quality of our aid programme, we have just been reviewed by the OECD development assistance committee. I am extremely pleased to note that the report refers to Ireland as a "champion in making aid more effective" and to Irish Aid's "strong cutting edge programme". We can be pleased to hear these views from an independent, objective and critical international aid organisation.

Our aid programme reflects our core values and commitment to supporting the world's poorest. The decisions we are taking in order to adjust the aid programme are framed in the context of this commitment and our determination that, once the Irish economy has returned to a pattern of sustainable growth, we will resume the expansion of our aid programme.

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