John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the planned expenditure on overseas aid in each of the years 2008 to 2012; the estimated proportion of GNP and GDP this expenditure represents in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3716/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to expanding Ireland's Overseas Aid programme. We have set a target of spending 0.7% of GNP on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) by 2012 and we are well on track to meeting this UN target. For 2008 the Government has allocated €914 million to ODA. The majority of this funding — €814 million — comes under Vote 29, International Cooperation, which is managed by my Department. A further estimated €100 million will be spent by other Government Departments and through Ireland's contribution to the EU Development Cooperation Budget.

Expenditure on ODA in 2008 will be the highest in the history of the programme and will represent 0.54 % of GNP. This level of spending will ensure that Ireland remains one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis. As with all exchequer funding, the ODA allocation for future years will be decided through the Estimates process. Figures for expenditure on ODA in the period 2009 to 2012 cannot be stated at this point as they are normally linked to estimated GNP growth at the time of the Estimates process. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to meeting the target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012 in a planned and phased manner and that Ireland's ODA allocation will grow strongly year on year as we move towards that target.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of Irish Government overseas aid spent in each of the top 12 recipient countries in 2007; the amount of such aid that is planned to be spent in each of these countries in each of the years 2008 to 2012; the plans he has to change the regional focus of overseas aid in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3717/08]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proportion of overseas aid paid to each of the top 12 recipient countries that was channelled through the Government of each of those countries in 2007; the proportion of planned overseas aid expenditure in each of the years 2008 to 2012 that will be channelled through each of those Governments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3719/08]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proportion of overseas aid paid to each of the top 12 recipient countries that was channelled through Irish non governmental organisations in 2007; the proportion of planned aid expenditure in each of the years 2008 to 2012 that will be channelled through Irish NGOs in each of those countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3720/08]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proportion of overseas aid paid to each of the top 12 recipient countries that was channelled through non-Irish non governmental organisations in 2007; the proportion of planned aid expenditure in those countries in each of the years 2008 to 2012 that will be channelled through non-Irish NGOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3721/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 390 to 392, inclusive, together.

In 2008 Ireland's spending on Overseas Development Aid (ODA) will reach €914 million. This level of expenditure, the highest in the history of the programme, represents 0.54 % of GNP. It will ensure that Ireland remains one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis. We are well on track to meeting the UN target of spending 0.7% on ODA by 2012, three years ahead of the EU commitment. Most of this funding — €814 million — comes under Vote 29 International Cooperation which is managed by my Department. A further estimated €100 million will be spent by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Cooperation Budget.

As far as expenditure on individual countries is concerned, I set out below a table showing the 12 countries which received the largest volume of ODA in 2006 (final figures for expenditure in 2007 must await detailed returns from our partner organisations. These will be published in our 2007 Annual Report).

The funding administered by Irish Aid is delivered through a wide range of partners including government, non Governmental organisations, missionaries, UN funds and programmes, international organisations and humanitarian agencies. Funding is delivered via local, regional and national government systems aimed at, inter alia, building health, education and local government systems. Irish Aid uses a number of modalities and funding mechanisms to manage ODA ranging from sector wide supports, mainly in the social sectors of health and education, to projects and general budget support.

A significant proportion of Irish Aid funding is delivered through our Multi Annual Partnership Scheme (MAPS) with the main Irish NGOs. In 2007 almost €63 million was provided to the five participating Irish NGOs under MAPS (Concern €23 million, Trócaire €18 million, GOAL €14.7 million, Self Help Development International (SHDI) €4 million and Christian Aid Ireland € 3.2 million). In the years 2007 through to 2011, we plan to support our MAPS partners by approximately €387 million as follows: Concern €148 million, Trócaire €116 million, GOAL €100 million, Christian Aid €17 million and SHDI €6.5 million.

As the deputy will be aware Irish Aid has consistently supported the work of Irish Missionaries. €16 million was provided to the Irish Missionary Resource Service in 2007 which will increase to €20 million next year. As far as future spending is concerned, the ODA allocation will be decided through the Estimates process. Figures for expenditure on ODA in the period 2009 to 2012 cannot be stated at this point as they are normally linked to estimated GNP growth at the time of the Estimates process. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to meeting the target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012 in a planned and phased manner and that Ireland's ODA allocation will grow strongly year on year as we move towards that target.

Irish Aid will continue to focus on the world's poorest countries where need is greatest. As stated in the White Paper on Irish Aid, Sub-Saharan Africa will remain the principal geographic focus. Irish Aid will continue to focus on the world's poorest countries where need is greatest. As stated in the White Paper on Irish Aid, Sub-Saharan Africa will remain the principal geographic focus. 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. ODA funding to these countries is allocated in accordance with the Country Strategy Papers (CSPs), which have a duration of five years. Five year CSPs were agreed in 2007 for Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique. CSPs for Ethiopia, Timor Leste and Malawi are under negotiation and the amount to be allocated will be announced once they are agreed.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 389: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the criteria used by his Department to identify countries to receive overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3718/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's official programme of development assistance, Irish Aid, has as its primary aim the reduction of poverty. Africa is the primary geographic focus of Irish Aid.

The White Paper on Irish Aid sets out the principles and policies underlying the aid programme. It outlines the vision for the future and a number of key initiatives.

The White Paper was the subject of extensive consultation with the Irish public, with aid agencies and other stakeholders including UN agencies and Ireland's partners in the developing world.

Irish Aid delivers assistance to over 30 countries in Africa, but has a particularly deep relationship with seven countries called programme countries. These are Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia and Malawi. In Asia, Vietnam and East Timor are also designated as programme countries.

The first three countries listed were designated as programme countries in the 1980s based on their poverty, links with Ireland and with Irish missionaries and on the comparative advantage which Ireland had in relation to their needs. The latter three were designated in the mid 1990's based on visits by appraisal teams which looked at the respective poverty indices and on the emergence of these countries from years of conflict.

Malawi has now become the 7th programme country in Africa on the basis of poverty indices, susceptibility to food insecurity and prior humanitarian operations and experience by Irish Aid there. An Embassy has now been opened in Malawi and work is in hand on setting up a comprehensive bilateral assistance programme.

Vietnam and East Timor were designated as programme countries on the basis of poverty levels, but also with a view to transferring the lessons from the development experience in Asia, where appropriate, to Africa.

The overarching objectives of the aid programme are poverty reduction and sustainable development. We address fundamental human needs such as food security, basic education, primary health care and safe water supplies.

We also place a particular emphasis on building good governance. This includes assistance for enhancing parliamentary oversight, building democratic systems of government that are underpinned by free and fair elections, strengthening the rule of law, enhancing respect for human rights, improving transparency and accountability through initiatives to enhance public financial management and building civil society.

A guiding principle of Irish Aid's policy is that Ireland's relationship with the developing world is based on a spirit of partnership and equality. The governments and peoples of our partner countries are primarily responsible for their own development and will lead the development process. Ireland will offer advice, expertise and assistance but decisions on development planning must, to the greatest extent possible, be locally owned and led.

The Irish Aid programme is growing rapidly. The commitment of the Government to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012 presents an important opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of millions of poor people in Africa and beyond. This practical and tangible assistance will also be matched by strong international advocacy for poverty reduction and a fairer global order.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the measures in place to ensure that money allocated to overseas aid is not misappropriated through corruption in recipient countries; if he has satisfied himself that those measures are fully effective; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3722/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland provides development support to some of the poorest countries in the world, some of which are ranked as having a significant level of corruption. Working in countries with corruption and weak governance generates a risk for donors, including Ireland.

Corruption affects the poorest in society. We are committed to addressing it through improving transparency and accountability, supporting public oversight institutions, parliamentary reform, the independent media and building the capacity of civil society to influence and monitor public policy decisions.

For example, in Ethiopia, Ireland supports the strengthening of internal and external audit functions within the Government of Ethiopia. In Uganda, Ireland provides direct support to oversight bodies actively engaged in preventing and addressing corruption, such as the Inspectorate General of Government and the Directorate of Ethics and Integrity. In Zambia, Ireland supports the work of a special Task Force on Corruption. We also provide assistance to the public financial management system, as well as supporting parliamentary oversight of budget implementation and the work of civil society institutions engaged in anti-corruption activities.

In addition, 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, in particular in respect of outcomes and value for money.

While we are working in some of the most difficult operating environments in the world, I am satisfied that the monitoring, evaluation and audit systems which we have in place provide the best protection possible against misuse of Irish taxpayers' funds.