Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of both Ireland's total official development assistance, and that spent only by his Department in both of the years 2006 and 2007 that is dedicated to supporting education in the developing world. [47474/08]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Education is a key component of Ireland's Overseas Development Aid programme. This is reflected in the White Paper on Irish Aid, which states that: "Education is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalised adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty".

In 2006, total Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) amounted to approximately €814 million, of which €595.4 million was administered by my Department through Irish Aid. €51 million of this was spent on a wide range of education projects and programmes across the aid programme. This represents approximately 6% of total ODA and 9% of the Irish Aid budget.

In 2007, total ODA amounted to €870.8 million, of which €725.7 million was administered by Irish Aid. €70.4 million of this was spent on education, representing approximately 8% of total ODA and 10% of the Irish Aid budget.

Funding for education is delivered through a number of channels, including direct support to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Ministries of Education and missionaries as well as multilateral agencies and global initiatives. Support to education encompasses assistance which is designed to put in place sustainable education systems, through support for teacher training, provision of textbooks and teaching materials, school construction and the development of curricula.

Our assistance also enables Ministries of Education to provide quality education with a focus on child centred learning for the increasing numbers of children attending schools. The main focus is on primary education, including support for girls' education and also strengthening the role of the education sector. Our assistance also enables Ministries of Education to provide quality education with a focus on child centred learning for the increasing numbers of children attending schools. The main focus is on primary education, including support for girls' education and also strengthening the role of the education sector in responding to HIV and AIDS. Support is also provided, where appropriate, to second and third level institutions.