John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans for overseas development aid funding in 2010; if he will guarantee that there will be no further cuts in the ODA budget in the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41876/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In 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 and will maintain Ireland's international ranking as one of the most generous donors in the world on a per capita basis. As the Deputy is aware, the Government has established a target of spending 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2012. We fully acknowledge that achieving this target by 2012 will prove to be a challenge in the current economic circumstances.

The estimates process for 2010, leading to the Budget next December, is now well advanced. This will be a difficult Budget, given the current financial climate and the many competing demands for scarce resources. The Government is determined to bring stability to the public finances and is seeking savings across all expenditure. While no area is considered immune from savings, I want to assure the Deputy that our aim is to protect the aid programme to the maximum extent achievable. The Deputy will also appreciate I am not in a position to provide, in advance of the Budget, detailed figures on the development assistance allocation for 2010. This is ultimately a matter for the Minister for Finance and will be announced on Budget day. However, I can state that both the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I continue to make the best possible case in support of the development aid budget.