Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas development aid given to other countries in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007; the countries that were involved; the amount they were given; the way this money was used or monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34642/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) comprises of both multilateral and bilateral contributions. Multilateral ODA consists of contributions channelled through multilateral and international organisations who conduct their activities in favour of development. These pooled contributions are not reported to Irish Aid on a country-specific basis. Bilateral ODA consists of contributions made directly by Ireland to developing countries, including contributions made through NGOs, missionary organisations and other bilateral partners.

In 2005, the total ODA provided by Ireland was €578 million of which €190 million was multilateral ODA and €388 million bilateral. Within the bilateral programme, a total of €310 million was spent in other countries, the remainder being spent on bilateral funds which were not country-specific and on administration costs associated with the ODA programme. Appendix 1 provides a detailed breakdown of the expenditure in each country.

In 2006, total ODA amounted to €814 million of which €313 million was distributed through multilateral channels and €501 million through the bilateral ODA programme. Of this total bilateral figure, €370 million was spent in other countries with the remainder being spent on bilateral funds which were not country-specific and on administration costs associated with the ODA programme. Appendix 2 provides a detailed breakdown of this expenditure in each country.

For 2007, the total ODA is expected to be €815 million. As the Deputy will appreciate the final ODA expenditure figures for 2007 are not yet available. However the information requested will be available in the 2007 annual report which is scheduled to be published in early 2008.

Last year Ireland provided assistance to over eighty countries. However, Ireland places particular emphasis on long-term support to eight programme countries: Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Lesotho, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. In 2007 an Embassy was opened in Malawi, which will become Ireland's ninth programme country. These countries are amongst the poorest in the world and Ireland's assistance to them is directed primarily to the social sectors of health, education and rural development in order to make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people.

The Irish Aid annual reports for 2005 and 2006 give a detailed analysis of expenditure in those countries. These are available on the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.gov.ie. The programme strategies include monitoring and oversight to ensure that our assistance is implemented for the benefit of those for whom it is intended.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 140: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way the funding of €23,214,971 given to Concern Worldwide in 2007 was and is being spent; the way this is audited or monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34643/07]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way the funding of €19,848,967 given to Trócaire in 2007 was and is being spent; the way this is audited or monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34644/07]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.

Both Concern Worldwide and Trócaire receive significant funding annually from Irish Aid. The bulk of this funding relates to the Multi Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) with other funding also allocated for emergency and humanitarian assistance and for development of education initiatives. MAPS is a funding scheme which has been established with a number of core NGOs with the aim of strengthening strategic and programmatic co-operation and providing a flexible and predictable funding framework. The current scheme, MAPS II, is a five-year scheme for the period 2007-2011. As well as Concern Worldwide and Trócaire, three other NGOs participate in MAPS — Christian Aid Ireland, Goal and Self Help Development International. Poverty reduction is the shared goal and the MAPS funding supports the work of Irish NGOs in tackling poverty and suffering in many of the world's poorest countries.

All of the MAPS II funding proposals were subjected to a rigorous appraisal and approval process by Irish Aid's Projects Appraisal and Evaluation Group which includes independent appraisal by external development specialists. All of the MAPS II funding proposals were subjected to a rigorous appraisal and approval process by Irish Aid's Projects Appraisal and Evaluation Group which includes independent appraisal by external development specialists. Bi-annual meetings are held with each participating NGO focussing on management, administrative, budgeting matters and reviews of annual narrative and financial reports. At least two country monitoring visits, led by Irish Aid, will be undertaken to each MAPS NGO within the five year timeframe. In addition, a mid-term review of MAPS 11 will be undertaken to assess progress followed by an end of programme evaluation. In addition to the funding relating to the MAPS programme, €6.47m and €1.73m respectively were allocated to Concern and Trócaire in 2007 for emergency and humanitarian assistance.

All emergency-related funding proposals submitted by an NGO partner are comprehensively appraised. Under the terms of the contract agreed with the NGO partner, each NGO is obliged to provide regular financial statements on spending and progress reports on implementation of the project. Irish Aid officials carry out spot check field missions to monitor the implementation of projects on the ground.

In addition, Concern and Trócaire have received €22,000 and €4,000 this year to support public information and education campaigns on development. These projects are monitored and audited by Irish Aid through reporting including as provided under the Development Education grant scheme. Concern and Trócaire are also required to submit each year full audited accounts.