Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 767: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will observe the commitment to spend 0.7% of GDP on overseas aid by 2012; if he will commit to maintaining the current level of expenditure on overseas aid between 2009 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34540/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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. Based on current projections this 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.

The Government has established a target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. Achieving this target will be a challenge in the current economic circumstances. The Government will make a full assessment of our capacity to achieve it in the context of the preparation of the 2010 Budget.

The estimates process for 2010 is now underway leading to the Budget in December. As the Deputy is aware there are many competing demands for scarce resources. Our aim is to protect the aid programme to the maximum extent achievable within the context of the current difficult fiscal environment.

As the Deputy will appreciate I cannot give an undertaking in relation to the exact figure for development assistance for 2010 in advance of the Budget. This is ultimately a matter for the Minister for Finance. However, I can state that both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I will make the best possible case in support of the aid budget.