Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 83 of 23 October 2007 in relation to countries expected to fail to meet the Millennium Development Goals, if he will provide details of Irish Aid's pro-poor growth initiatives; and if such initiatives have been assessed in terms of a human rights perspective. [30870/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my earlier reply referred to by the Deputy, progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals has been mixed. There has been good progress on reaching some targets, with more intensive effort required on others. On the positive side, if current trends continue we are on target to reach the MDG on the poverty reduction target for the world as a whole. Extreme poverty is beginning to fall in Sub Saharan Africa and child mortality has declined globally. However, there is significant geographical disparity, with progress in sub-Saharan Africa being still far too slow.

Ireland is committed to playing our part in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. We intend to keep the achievement of the MDGs at the centre of our development efforts and will encourage other donors to increase and improve the quality of their aid, as we are doing, and to ensure that governance and respect for human rights are strengthened in developing countries. Human rights are at the core of Irish foreign policy. The close relationship between human rights and development is emphasised in the White Paper on Irish Aid. Our commitment to reducing and eradicating poverty is made within the framework of achieving the MDGs and is consistent with a rights-based approach.

Aid on its own will not be enough. Achieving the MDGs will require sustained economic growth especially in the poorer African countries. Much of Ireland's aid is used to fund basic services such as health, education and water supply as well as roads and agricultural services. We are also strengthening our support for the private sector. Economic growth will increase developing countries' own revenues allowing them to finance more and better services for the poor. A growing economy also provides opportunities for poor people to increase their incomes through their own productive activities such as smallholder agriculture or through paid employment.

These poverty reducing benefits of economic growth do not just appear by chance. Pro-poor economic growth requires appropriate policies and planning by Government. As I said in my reply to the previous question on this issue, the best way to ensure that economic growth benefits the poor is for the poor to participate directly in generating that growth. The pattern of growth is critical for poverty reduction. For poor people to benefit, growth must occur in sectors of the economy where the poor are economically active and make their livelihoods. The poor must be directly involved in growing economic activity as producers, traders, processors or employees.

In its partner countries Irish Aid provides funding for public expenditure programmes at overall exchequer level and to specific sectors such as health, education and agriculture. As an important funding partner we have the opportunity and responsibility to discuss budgets and economic and other policies with our partner Governments, the International Financial Institutions and other donors. Irish Aid uses these opportunities to ensure that policies for sustaining growth in our partner countries — including those promoting macro-economic stability and improving the investment climate — should be designed to increase poor peoples' incentives, opportunities and capabilities for employment and entrepreneurship, so that they too can participate in and benefit from growth.

Irish Aid also uses this dialogue to ensure that funding of basic services and other poverty reduction programmes is protected and increased in the allocation of aid and other public resources. Progress in other, non-income areas of poverty such as education, literacy and health status is a key driver of poor peoples' ability to benefit from economic growth.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent of the measures in place to ensure that development aid to all African countries is used for the benefit of those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30947/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that it is of particular importance to me that Ireland's overseas aid to African countries is used for the benefit of the poor. The overall objective of Ireland's overseas development assistance is to help the poorest and most vulnerable people in developing countries, particularly in Africa. There is a wide range of measures in place to ensure that Irish taxpayers' money is contributing to achieving positive and lasting changes in the lives of poor people.

In our bilateral Programme Countries, support is planned in close consultation with national Governments and other partners at country level. We support our partner countries' national poverty reduction plan. These plans are developed to respond to the needs of the poorest people and have a strong focus on providing basic social services such as health and education. In addition, Irish Aid is actively engaged with Governments and other donors in national policy and budget allocation discussions. These discussions are aimed at ensuring that funding for basic services and poverty reduction programmes are protected or increased. A number of Programme Countries are introducing special social protection programmes to target those who are chronically poor.

Monitoring of programmes and projects is carried out by national Auditors General, donors and civil society groups on an annual basis. Particular attention is paid to progress in relation to reducing the number of people living below the poverty line and increasing access to basic health, education and water and sanitation.

We realise that poor governance is a problem in many developing countries and there are concerns regarding corruption. This is a symptom of the level of underdevelopment that exists. We are working with other donors to help strengthen public financial management systems and the institutions of governance, such as the Offices of the Auditor General.

In addition, Irish Aid has in place, rigorous accounting and audit controls. These are essential to ensure a transparent, effective and high quality programme. Programmes are regularly audited and evaluated by independent audit firms and by the Department of Foreign Affairs' Evaluation and Audit Unit. Programmes are evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purpose for which they are intended and for value for money.

I am satisfied that the methods used by Irish Aid for planning and monitoring programmes, together with the audit and evaluation systems we have in place, serve to protect the funding provided. Such methods are in accordance with international best practice and the highest standards in this area.