Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 336: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that development aid from Ireland is directed to those for whom it was intended and that adequate safety measures are in place to ensure this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31231/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The overriding objective of Ireland's overseas aid programme is to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in developing countries through assisting in bringing about positive and lasting change in their lives.

Across the development programme, strategies are devised in close consultation with national governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the support provided complements national poverty reduction plans and targets those most in need. These strategies include monitoring frameworks to ensure that our assistance is effective and that it is implemented for the benefit of those for whom it is intended.

Irish Aid has in place rigorous accounting and audit controls which are essential to ensuring a transparent, effective and high quality programme. Irish Aid programmes are regularly and intensively audited and evaluated by independent audit firms, by Irish Aid's Evaluation and Audit Unit and by the independent Audit Committee of the Department. Programmes are evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purposes intended and in respect of outcomes and value for money.

I am satisfied that the methods used by Irish Aid in devising its strategies, combined with its audit and evaluation systems, serve to protect the funding provided in accordance with best international practice and highest standards in this area.