Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the planned increases to staffing levels in Irish Aid over the course of 2007; the projected cost of these increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3951/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In the recent White Paper on Irish Aid, the Government committed to undertaking a major review of the management of the Aid programme in the light of the very substantial increase in the funding available to it. The review will embrace the financial and administrative systems, approval, monitoring, audit and evaluation mechanisms, management information systems and the management and technical competencies necessary to guide the programme through this era of growth. The staffing requirement will be considered in the context of this management review. The review will be conducted by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Finance. Its precise terms of reference are currently being considered by both Departments. A report, with recommendations, will in due course be made to Government.

Separately, sanction has already been conveyed by the Minister for Finance for an additional 20 posts in my Department's Development Cooperation Directorate which administers Irish Aid. The filling of these posts will be completed during the course of 2007. The total cost of these staff increases is estimated to be €1million per annum.