Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cuts to date in funding to each of the multilateral agencies supported by Irish aid and to each sector of our bilateral aid to our priority partner countries. [46146/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Last year the Government provided a total budget of €920 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA). This represented approximately 0.59 % of our Gross National Product (GNP), making Ireland the sixth most generous aid donor internationally in per capita terms. This year, the Government had to take the regrettable decision to reduce the allocation for ODA. Total ODA is expected to reach €696 million in 2009, which, on current projections, will represent approximately 0.52% of GNP.

In making adjustments across the aid programme this year, the Government ensured that programmes in our priority countries were protected to the extent possible. Ireland provides bilateral development assistance 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, Timor Leste, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia. Irish Aid provided direct programme funding of €220 million to these countries in 2008. This year, €198 million is being provided. Breaking these figures down by Programme Country:

In Ethiopia, €36 million was provided in 2008 and €27.8 million in 2009.

In Lesotho, €9.1 million was provided in 2008 and €11.4 million in 2009.

In Malawi, almost €10 million was provided in 2008 and €8.8 million in 2009. I have recently approved funding of a further €2 million for the fight against hunger in Malawi.

In Mozambique, €34 million was provided in 2008 and €40.5 million in 2009.

In Tanzania, €38 million was provided in 2008 and €33.5 million in 2009.

In Timor Leste, €5 million was provided in 2008 and €3.42 million in 2009. In addition, over €1 million was allocated in 2008 and €990,000 in 2009 for a programme of conflict resolution activities in Timor Leste.

In Uganda, €42 million was provided in 2008 and €35.5 million in 2009.

In Vietnam, €21 million was provided in 2008 and €13.75 million in 2009.

In Zambia, €23.5 million was provided in 2008 and €23.2 million in 2009.

Additional funding is channelled to the Programme Countries in response to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, as necessary, and through Irish Aid funding for the activities of Non-Governmental Organisations and international agencies. The development objectives for each of the Programme Countries are outlined in country strategy papers, typically covering a period of five years. These strategies identify the key sectors in which the bilateral programmes focus. For example, education is at the heart of Ireland's current strategy in Zambia, while the programme in Tanzania concentrates on the sectors of governance, agriculture and health. All strategies are agreed with partner countries in the context of their own programmes for poverty reduction. In making the budget adjustments, 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.

In relation to the multilateral agencies, I regret that it was necessary this year to reduce by 50% Ireland's planned voluntary contributions to United Nations Agencies. Nonetheless, the Government has provided €40.5 million to the UN agencies for their development activities in 2009. This includes core funding of €8.7 million to the UN Development Programme (UNDP), €8 million to the UN Fund for Children (UNICEF), €6 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), €3 million to UNAIDS, €3 million to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and €2 million to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Significant additional funding has been channelled through the UN agencies in response to emergency and humanitarian needs.

Other multilateral funding provided by Irish Aid this year included contributions to help developing countries take advantage of the global trading system and represent their interests more effectively in international trade negotiations. In this regard, the Government's support for the World Trade Organisation Technical Assistance programmes, the International Trade Centre, and the Advisory Centre on WTO Law amounted to €3.3 million in 2009, an overall reduction of €2.9 million on 2008 levels.

Finally, it is important to note that Ireland's overall assessed contribution to the European Union Development Fund was not reduced in 2009, remaining at €21.9 million.