Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the work being carried out in Irish Aid's target countries; if it is proposed to expand this programme; if he will give an assurance that the overall budget for this programme will not be cut in Budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34189/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, ODA expenditure will be the highest in the history of the programme, amounting to almost €900 million or some 0.54% of GNP on current estimates. Irish Aid delivers assistance to over 90 countries in the developing world. Nine have been designated Programme Countries with a commitment to long term strategic assistance: Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia and Malawi, Vietnam and East Timor.

Support to Programme Countries is framed in agreed country strategies with the aim of assisting in the achievement of national development plans. These address fundamental human needs including food security, basic education and primary health care. They also emphasise the central importance for sustainable development of good governance, respect for human rights and transparency and accountability.

The Government's White Paper on Irish Aid, published in 2006, contained a commitment to increase the number of key partner countries from eight to ten, in the medium term. Malawi was designated Irish Aid's ninth Programme Country in 2007. An Embassy has now been established in the capital, Lilongwe, and Ireland will provide some €10 million in assistance for Malawi this year. This support will be targeted in particular at vulnerable communities in the areas of food security, livelihoods and protection against the effects of natural disasters.

Preliminary work has also been undertaken towards identifying a tenth Programme Country in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. In keeping with the conclusions of the White Paper on Irish Aid, Africa will remain the primary geographic focus for Ireland's development programme.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the outcome of the review of the management of the Irish Aid Programme undertaken in conjunction with the Department of Finance; the details of changes in the management of the programme that resulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34172/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Delivering a high quality aid programme as funding expands towards reaching the UN target of 0.7% of GNP on official aid poses challenges at every level of the Irish Aid programme. The scale of these challenges was recognised in the Government's 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid which proposed a major review of the management and structures of the programme, to ensure that overseas aid is delivered optimally in terms of accountability and quality.

The review commenced in 2007 and was carried out by external management consultants guided by a Steering Committee comprised of high level officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Finance. The review encompassed a comprehensive examination of Irish Aid's management structures, capacity and delivery systems. Arrangements to ensure appropriate coordination, including with development partners, and foreign policy coherence were also considered.

The consultants' report was finalised in July 2008 and is currently under active consideration in my Department and the Department of Finance. It is expected that the recommendations will be submitted to Government in the coming months and, if approved, that an Action Plan will be formulated to implement them over the next two years on a phased basis.

Question No. 36 answered with Question No. 15.