P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of the overseas aid budget that was allocated to each of the core programme countries each year in 2007 and 2008; the reduction of such funding to each of these countries in 2009; the areas affected by these reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41877/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for overseas aid funding for each of the core programme countries in 2010; if he will guarantee that there will be no further cuts in the overseas development aid budget allocated to these countries in the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41878/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 99 together.

The Government provides assistance through the aid programme to over ninety countries worldwide. Nine have been designated as Programme Countries, where we have a commitment to long term strategic assistance. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Vietnam and Timor Leste. Irish Aid provided direct programme funding of €185 million to these countries in 2007. Almost €220 million was provided in 2008. This year, €198 million is being provided. Breaking these figures down by Programme Country:

- €32 million was provided in Ethiopia in 2007 and €36 million in 2008. The programme budget for 2009 is €27.8 million.

- In Lesotho, €9.4 million was provided in 2007 and €9.1 million in 2008. The programme budget for 2009 is €11.4 million.

- In Mozambique, €31 million was provided in 2007 and €34 million in 2008. The programme budget for 2009 is €40.5 million.

- In Tanzania, €32 million was provided in 2007 and €38 million in 2008. The programme budget in 2009 is €33.5 million.

- In Uganda, €35 million was provided in 2007 and €42 million in 2008. The programme budget for 2009 is €35.5 million.

- In Zambia, €22 million was provided in 2007 and €23.5 million in 2008. The programme budget for 2009 is €23.2 million.

- In Malawi, which was designated as the newest Programme Country in 2007, almost €10 million was provided in 2008. A programme budget of €8.8 million was allocated for 2009. I have recently approved funding of a further €2 million for the fight against hunger in Malawi.

In relation to the two Programme Countries in Asia:

- €19 million was provided in Vietnam in 2007 and €21 million in 2008. The programme budget for this year is €13.75 million.

- In Timor Leste, €4 million was provided in 2007 and €5 million in 2008. The programme budget this year is €3.42 million. In addition, over €1 million was allocated in 2008 and €990,000 in 2009 for a programme of conflict resolution activities in Timor Leste.

The Government channels additional funding to the Programme Countries in response to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, as necessary. Support is also provided through Irish Aid funding of the activities and programmes of Non-Governmental Organisations and through contributions to UN and other international agencies.

In deciding this year on the implementation of the budget adjustments which were necessary across the aid programme, priority was given to the need to protect funding to our Programme Countries, to the extent possible. We have in all cases ensured that the continuity of our programmes will be maintained. In some cases, funding timeframes have been extended and disbursement rates modified, but the planned final outputs will be delivered, even if they have been delayed somewhat.

The difficult process of preparing the Budget for 2010 is now underway, and the amount provided for Overseas Development Assistance will be announced by the Minister for Finance in his Statement to the Dáil on 9 December. The subsequent decisions on allocations for individual programmes will be made in consultation with our Embassies in the Programme Countries, which have maintained a strong dialogue with Governments and other local partners. The Government is determined to ensure that the high standards of Ireland's aid programme will be maintained, and that it will continue to deliver clear results for the lives of those most in need.