Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans in respect of overseas aid funding for each of the core programme countries in 2010 and subsequent years; his views on guaranteeing 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. [46644/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. The development objectives for each of the Programme Countries are outlined in agreed country strategy papers, typically covering a period of five years. In recent years, Ireland and other donors have moved towards a more programmatic approach to aid, aligned with the national planning of partner countries. Priorities and strategies for engagement are based on the particular circumstances in each country, and on Ireland's strong overarching focus on the fight against global poverty and hunger.

Within this overall context, our development priorities concentrate on basic needs, including those in the key social sectors of health and education, and in the fight against HIV and AIDS. We also focus on the productive sectors, including rural development, the private sector and support for livelihoods. The aid programme places a particular emphasis on building democracy and good governance, and on promoting respect for human rights. This year, the Government has provided €198 million in funding for the programme budgets for our priority countries. Additional funding is channelled to the Programme Countries through Irish Aid funding for the activities and programmes of Non-Governmental Organisations, through our contributions to multilateral agencies, and in response to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, as necessary.

The Government will provide a total of €671 million for Official Development Assistance in 2010. On current projections, this will represent 0.52% of GNP, maintaining the level we expect to achieve for 2009. Decisions on the overall allocations to each of the nine programme countries have not yet been finalised. Through our Embassies, we are engaging in dialogue with our partners on the most effective way to deliver our programmes in 2010 in line with the priorities already agreed with them. The people of Ireland can be proud that, despite the enormous economic difficulties over the past year, we are delivering an internationally recognised aid programme which is sharply focused on the reduction of extreme poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries, especially in Africa. I can assure the House that the standards achieved by the programme will be maintained in 2010 and subsequent years.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of overseas development aid spending spent on education in 2008 and to date in 2009; the amount budgeted for education in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46649/09]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's White Paper on Irish Aid recognises that education is an important driver of poverty reduction and is the primary vehicle by which economically and socially marginalised adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty. Support to education has always been a key component of our aid programme. In 2008, Irish Aid expenditure on education amounted to over €83 million. This represents approximately 12% of total bilateral aid and is above the international donor average of just over 7%.

Our funding for education is delivered through a number of complementary channels. We support national education sector plans through the Ministries of Education in our Programme Countries. We also provide direct support to Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), missionaries working in education, multilateral agencies and global initiatives such as the Education Fast Track Initiative. The bulk of education expenditure is provided directly to Irish Aid Programme Countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Thousands of young African boys and girls are at school as a result of our aid programme. This level of expenditure reflects Ireland's commitment to the Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015.

Final expenditure for 2009 is not yet available and will be reported comprehensively in the 2009 Annual Report on Irish Aid. However, based on current projections we anticipate that expenditure on education will remain at around 12% of total bilateral aid. As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot provide details of the projected allocations for 2010. These will be finalised during the planning process over the next few weeks. However I can assure the Deputy that education, especially improving the quality of learning and teaching, remains a priority for our aid programme.