Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of aid granted to Uganda in 2006 and 2007; the way this was spent; the way this expenditure is verified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3806/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland provides development assistance to Uganda directly and also through NGOs, missionaries and other international partner organisations.

In 2006 Ireland provided over €32 million in direct assistance. Additional funding of over €9.5 million was made available through other organisations including the World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, UNHCR, Oxfam, World Vision and Irish NGOs such as Concern, Christian Aid, Goal, and Trócaire. A detailed breakdown of these figures is available in the Irish Aid 2006 Annual Report. I have arranged for a copy of the report to be sent to the Deputy.

In 2007, direct assistance amounted to over €34 million, and indirect assistance to some €8.7 million. The final figures are being prepared and a comprehensive breakdown of the figures for 2007 will be included in the 2007 Annual Report.

Ireland's development aid programme in Uganda is aligned with the Government of Uganda's national poverty reduction plan. It focuses on those areas which will have the greatest impact on the poorest and most vulnerable members of the community, such as education, health, HIV/AIDs and good governance. Irish Aid assistance has contributed to the considerable progress that has been made in these areas.

For instance, in education, by 2006 the net enrolment rate at primary level had reached over 91%, increasing from 85% in 2002. With Ireland's assistance the provision of Anti Retro Virals (ARVs) for the treatment of HIV/AIDS was established in over 200 accredited health facilities during 2006 and over 2000 health workers were trained in comprehensive HIV care. By 2006, the governance sector was strengthened by the introduction of accountability and anti-corruption measures such as the rollout of public expenditure reform initiatives and the enhanced capacity of the Office of the Auditor General.

Support channelled through the Poverty Action Fund facilitated the provision of services at local level in key social sectors such as water, sanitation and agriculture.

The Irish Aid programme has in place monitoring and auditing frameworks to ensure that our assistance is effective and that it is implemented for the benefit of those for whom it is intended.

The rigorous accounting and audit controls help to ensure a transparent, effective and high quality programme. Programmes are 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 also evaluated to ensure that funds are used for the purposes intended, in particular in respect of outcomes and value for money.