Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 23: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to honour the commitment given by the previous Government to grow the overseas aid budget to 0.7% of the national income by 2015; the rationale for his decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23264/11]

Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will reach its 0.7% of GDP by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22924/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together.

Ireland's total contribution to Official Development Assistance (ODA) will amount to €659 million in 2011. €524 million of this funding will be planned and managed by Irish Aid, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Some €135 million is accounted for by contributions of other Government Departments and by Ireland's share of the EU development cooperation budget.On current projections, this level of allocation ensures that Ireland will provide approximately 0.52 per cent of GNP for development assistance in 2011.

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland's development programme, which is central to our foreign policy and to Ireland's role internationally in helping to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We are committed to the target of 0.7% of GNP and we are working to achieve it by 2015. This is in line with the long-standing UN target for ODA, and with the commitment of the European Union.

It is clear that, in current circumstances, this will be a challenging target to meet. However, the Government was elected to face up to the challenges of rebuilding our society and economy, and of restoring economic growth and our international reputation. I strongly believe that we can do this without undermining our work to improve the lives of some of the world's poorest people. Over the next few years, decisions on the annual allocations for the aid programme will have to be taken within the overall budgetary framework and fiscal constraints facing the Government. Nonetheless, I can assure you, as Minister with responsibility for trade and development, that I will make the strongest possible case for funding for development cooperation.