Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals emanating from the Department of Finance indicating that Ireland is to resile from its aim of reaching 0.7% of gross domestic product being spent on overseas development aid by the year 2012. [31908/09]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for Irish Aid for 2009; if he is committed to funding the work of Irish Aid into the future; if Ireland's contribution to overseas development aid will be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31916/09]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage of GDP allocated to overseas development aid in 2008 and in 2009; if Ireland is committed to assigning the UN target of 0.7% GDP to overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31917/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which overseas development aid is expected to proceed in 2009 in view of the likelihood of increased need arising from the world economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31955/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 43, 46, 52, 53, and 56 together.

In 2008, Ireland spent €920 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represented approximately 0.59 % of our Gross National Product (GNP). For 2009 the total budget for ODA is expected to reach €696 million. €571 million will be administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through Irish Aid, with the balance of €125 million being contributions to development co-operation by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Co-operation Budget. To date approximately 75% of the 2009 funding allocated to the Department of Foreign Affairs has been disbursed to partners and programmes. Based on current projections, ODA this year will represent at least 0.48% of GNP. This means that Ireland will remain one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis. This is an enormous achievement in the context of the current economic circumstances and one of which we should all be justifiably proud.

The Government very much regrets having to make the decision to reduce the 2009 development assistance budget. However, it must be recognised that this necessary decision was taken in the context of the economic situation facing the country. Its sole objective is to assist in stabilising the public finances. This is a fundamental prerequisite for the resumption of economic growth, which is the only sustainable way Ireland can meet future ODA commitments. The Government recognises that the reduction in the ODA allocation for 2009 was significant. However it follows a period of unprecedented growth. The figures speak for themselves. At the start of this decade, Ireland's ODA stood at €254 million - by last year it had reached €920 million – more than trebling in volume. In the same period, our percentage share of GNP spent on development assistance increased from 0.30 % to 0.59% - effectively doubling.

The Government also recognises that it will now be more difficult to achieve the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. Nonetheless we will continue to work towards that target, and will make a full assessment of our capacity to achieve it in the context of the preparation of the 2010 Budget. It is important to note that Ireland is still significantly ahead of all but a few EU Member States in making progress towards achieving the broad EU target of 0.7% for ODA by 2015.

While the Government is very much aware of the implications of the recent budgetary revisions for our own aid programme, increasing volumes is only part of the story of development assistance. Spending aid effectively, while meeting the needs of the world's poorest, is an essential characteristic of a quality programme. The OECD DAC peer review, has described Ireland as "champion in making aid more effective" and that "Irish Aid is a strong cutting edge development programme". I will ensure that these high standards are maintained.