Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 584: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding in 2009 for overseas development assistance; the countries where this funding will be spent; the impact which the reduced funding will have on existing projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29671/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The total budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2009 will be €696 million. Of this, €571 million is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Government's official aid programme, Irish Aid. The balance of €125 million comprises contributions to development cooperation by other Government Departments and Ireland's contribution to the EU Development Co-operation Budget. On current projections, it is estimated that this expenditure on ODA will represent 0.48% of GNP in 2009.

I very much regret that it has been necessary to reduce the budget for overseas development assistance for 2009. The decision was taken by Government solely in the context of the need to restore the public finances and provide the platform for renewed economic growth. We have given a commitment that we will resume the expansion of the aid programme as soon as sustainable economic growth has been re-established.

It is important to note that, notwithstanding the adjustments to the ODA budget, this year Ireland can be expected to remain the sixth most generous aid donor internationally, in per capita terms, and the fifth in the EU. Our aid programme is renowned internationally for its clear focus on the reduction of poverty and hunger, and on the least developed countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ireland 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. In 2009, the total programme budget for these nine countries will amount to almost €200 million. Additional funding will be channelled to the Programme Countries through our support for the development work of Non-Governmental Organisations, and in response to humanitarian emergencies.

While adjustments have been required in the budgets for our programmes of assistance to these countries, they are being implemented in a manner which ensures the continued delivery of basic services, including health and education, and the focus on the poorest and most vulnerable people and communities. While it may be necessary to extend some funding timeframes and modify disbursement rates, the continuity of our agreed development programmes will be maintained.

When I spoke on behalf of the Government at the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis in New York on 25 June, I outlined the severe impact which the crisis is already having on developing countries. I also pointed out that our response has to be framed in a context where, regrettably, budgets for overseas development assistance are under serious pressure everywhere. The challenge facing all aid donors, therefore, is to ensure that our assistance is delivered more effectively and sustainably, with tangible results. It is also important to focus more clearly on key priorities.

The OECD Development Assistance Committee in May 2009 described Irish Aid as a cutting edge development programme and stated that Ireland is a champion in making aid more effective. We are working to ensure that these high standards are maintained, and that, through our aid programme, Ireland will continue to make a strong, lasting contribution to the fight against global poverty and hunger.