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

Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts are made to ensure that overseas development aid goes directly to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27592/11]

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

Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the bilateral aid programme is monitored to ensure that the aid goes directly to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27593/11]

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

Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which comparisons have been made between the bilateral and multilateral aid programme with a view to achieving the best value for money and assurances that such aid goes to the use for which it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27594/11]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 to 113, inclusive, together.

As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland's Official Development Assistance, I am very conscious of the need to ensure that development aid reaches its intended beneficiaries and that it makes a real difference in the lives of the poorest people.

The overarching objective of the aid programme is to contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger in the world. To ensure that our assistance is effectively delivered to those most in need in developing countries, we work in partnership with Governments, local communities, NGOs, and key multilateral partners such as the United Nations and European Union. Our aid programme is strongly concentrated on some of the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Of Ireland's total Official Development Assistance, about 70% is delivered bilaterally and 30% through multilateral systems. The multilateral system, in particular the UN, has a number of key strengths, not least its global mandate and global representation. It is uniquely positioned to provide rapid response to emergencies, such as conflict and natural disasters, and operates in some 150 countries. Channelling assistance through a multilateral organisation such as the UN can also help to avoid duplication of effort by donors and to avoid overwhelming already stretched national systems.

On the other hand, where we have a bilateral programme such as in our nine Programme Countries, we have a stronger long term, strategic relationship with the host country and are in a position to engage directly with the Government and local communities. This allows us to have a much greater impact in a more focused area, such as agriculture, health or education.

All proposals for funding, whether through multilateral or bilateral channels, are rigorously appraised by Irish Aid staff using clear criteria, including quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of resources. An independent external Programme Appraisal and Evaluation Group is tasked to evaluate all major funding proposals for the bilateral aid programme.

Programmes in receipt of funding are subject to regular internal and external monitoring to ensure that the intended objectives and goals are being accomplished. Irish Aid programmes are evaluated and audited by independent experts as well as by Irish Aid's Evaluation and Audit Unit. The Unit's work is regularly reviewed by the independent Audit Committee of my Department.

The quality of our aid programme has been recognised in many independent reports. The OECD has found that "improvements in the quality and accountability of public financial management together with rigorous oversight ensure that Irish funds are correctly used". In the most recent international report on development assistance, the 2010 Evaluation of the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, published just last week, Ireland ranks highest among EU Member States for the delivery of our commitments on aid quality.

I believe that this focus on appraisal, regular monitoring, independent evaluations and audit provides assurance that all Irish Aid funds are very closely monitored and used for the purposes intended.