Written answers

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Department of Foreign Affairs

Overseas Development Aid

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are plans to increase the number of core programme countries receiving Irish aid; if he will identify which additional countries will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1919/09]

Photo of Peter PowerPeter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's aid programme, Irish Aid, provides assistance to over ninety developing countries. Nine have been designated as Programme Countries, with a commitment to long term strategic assistance. These are Tanzania, Zambia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, Vietnam and Timor Leste. Support to Programme Countries is based on agreed country strategies, with a comprehensive focus on poverty reduction through the implementation of the country's own national development plan.

The Government's White Paper on Irish Aid, which was published in 2006, included a commitment to increase the number of key partner countries from eight to ten in the medium term. Malawi was designated Ireland's ninth Programme Country in 2007. An Embassy has been established in Malawi and a programme of strategic support is being developed, focusing on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable people, with an emphasis on sustainable food security, nutrition and improvements in agriculture. Irish Aid has undertaken preliminary work on the identification of a tenth Programme Country. Further analysis will be required before any decision is taken. In keeping with the conclusions of the White Paper on Irish Aid, Africa, with 34 of the world's least developed countries, will remain the primary geographic focus for Ireland's development programme.

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