Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of the overseas aid budget that was channelled through Irish and other development non-governmental and missionary organisations each year in 2007 and 2008; the planned allocation of funding to such organisations in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15928/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The overarching goal of the Government's aid programme, administered by Irish Aid, is the reduction and eventual eradication of global poverty and hunger. Our partnership with development Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionaries represents a very important element of this effort, reflecting the broad support among Irish people for the development programme. The Irish aid programme is one of the strongest supporters of the non-governmental sector internationally.

Irish Aid engages with development NGOs through the innovative Multi-Annual Programme Scheme, the Civil Society Fund and a number of Emergency funding schemes. It provides significant additional funding to NGOs under the development programmes in the nine priority countries for Irish Aid, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. Irish Aid also cooperates closely with Misean Cara, representing the range of Irish missionaries working with the poor in the developing world.

Last year, the total funding provided by the Government, through Irish Aid, to development NGOs and missionaries amounted to just over €200 million. In 2007, we provided over €180 million. This funding supported the work of NGOs in livelihood and food security, rural economic development, health, education, gender equality and the fight against HIV and AIDS. In total, Irish Aid supported over 280 NGOs and missionary organisations last year. Irish Aid also provides multi-annual funding to organisations in the development education sector in Ireland, through the Development Education Grants Funding Scheme.

Following the supplementary Budget on 7 April, the total allocation for overseas development assistance in 2009 will be €696 million. We are at present examining the adjustments which will be required to the aid programme, and are committed to ensuring that it retains its clear focus on the reduction of poverty and hunger and on the least developed countries in the world, in particular in Africa. Inevitably, there will be some reduction in the funding provided to civil society organisations across the different subheads. However, the Government is determined to strengthen its partnership with civil society. That partnership goes beyond funding arrangements, and involves continuous policy dialogue across a range of vital issues. We will continue to develop the dialogue so that we can achieve our shared goals for development and ensure that the overall Irish contribution has the maximum effect on the lives of the poorest people in the world.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of the overseas aid budget that was allocated to funding voluntary workers in developing countries each year in 2007 and 2008; the planned allocation of such funding in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15930/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Through the aid programme, administered by Irish Aid, the Government is supporting over 1,300 long term development workers, volunteers and missionaries in the developing world. Their contribution is an important, and valued, element in the overall Irish contribution to the reduction and eventual eradication of global poverty and hunger.

The Government has directly supported the work of volunteers in development since the official aid programme was established over thirty years ago, initially through the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, and since 2003, directly through Irish Aid. In 2007, specific funding from Irish Aid to volunteer-sending agencies amounted to €8.7 million. Last year, the total level of such funding amounted to €10.4 million. Many of the Non-governmental Organisations which receive funding from Irish Aid also devote a proportion of this support to the participation of voluntary workers in their programmes.

Following the supplementary Budget on 7 April, the total allocation overseas development assistance in 2009 will be €696 million. We are at present examining the specific adjustments which will be required across the programme, including to the different subheads under which Irish Aid provides support to voluntary workers. The Government is determined to maintain the programme's clear focus on the reduction of poverty and hunger, and on the least developed countries especially in sub Saharan Africa.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to provide substantial support to the volunteering sector. I strongly welcome the great interest among Irish people in pursuing volunteering opportunities in developing countries. The Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre was established in 2008 to promote responsible volunteering and to facilitate and harness this public interest in a constructive and positive manner. I was very pleased that over 400 people attended last week's Volunteering Fair organised by Irish Aid in the Centre. This level of interest reflects the high level of public support for development and for the commitment to fighting global poverty.