Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 49: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which Irish Aid is successful in targeting areas of most need worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14087/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of locations likely to receive overseas development aid in 2011 on a bilateral or multilateral basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14089/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 51 together.

The Government's aid programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs, is sharply focused on efforts to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger. In its most recent peer review of the programme, in 2009, the OECD stated that Irish Aid's concentration in a limited number of poor African countries is one of its main strengths. The OECD also reported that Ireland has a strong, cutting edge programme, which is a champion in making aid more effective.

Seven of the nine priority countries for the aid programme, where we have a commitment to long-term strategic assistance, are in sub-Saharan Africa. These are Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The other two priority countries, Vietnam and Timor Leste, are in Asia. All of the programmes in these countries involve a close partnership with Governments and communities with the clear objective of reducing poverty levels, in line with the countries' own priorities.

We deliver our aid programme in co-operation with Governments, communities, NGOs, and key multilateral partners including the UN and EU. Irish Aid funding is protected by rigorous external and internal monitoring, accounting and audit controls, which are in place in all countries where we provide development assistance. The objective is to ensure that funding is directed effectively to those areas most in need and delivered in line with clearly set objectives.

The results from our aid programme and from our co-operation with partners in Africa and elsewhere can be demonstrated clearly. For instance, the measured incidence of extreme poverty is falling in many of our priority countries, as are the prevalence rates of HIV and AIDS. Primary school enrolment figures are rising very significantly. In recent years, economic growth in Africa has been impressive despite the difficult economic circumstances globally. The aid provided by Ireland is making a vital contribution to the reduction of poverty, and the promotion of sustainable economic development in the countries where we work. We continue to work towards the day when our partner countries in Africa will no longer depend on external aid and can take full control of their own development.

The Government is now beginning the process of reviewing the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid to take account of developments over the past five years and to ensure that we maximise the contribution that Ireland can make to the fight against global poverty and hunger.