Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he continues to engage with non-governmental organisations with a view to ensuring that aid is strategically directed to ensure maximum benefit to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33801/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Government's aid programme, which is managed by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is sharply focused on the fight against global poverty and hunger. It is recognised internationally for its effectiveness, and for its concentration on some of the poorest countries and communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Irish Aid channels a higher proportion of overall assistance through development Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) than other international donors, reflecting the strong support of the Irish people for the work of NGOs and missionaries. This assistance is provided to support the long term development work of NGOs, in accordance with the objectives of the Government's aid programme, the work of NGOs on emergency and humanitarian assistance, and development education programmes.

Irish Aid has established strict eligibility criteria to determine which NGOs are eligible to apply for significant grant funding. The main eligibility criteria include a proven organisational capacity for the effective use of funding, a solid track record of delivery and a sound compliance record.

The partnership between Irish Aid and NGOs is focused on the achievement of real and long term development results in the lives of some the most vulnerable people in the world. This is achieved through the targeting of assistance to some of the most remote and disadvantaged communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Aid interventions are prioritised to reach the poorest and most vulnerable members of those communities who are further disadvantaged on grounds of gender, disability or minority status.

Irish Aid assesses and evaluates the NGO programmes against specific objectives and expected results. Procedures to ensure funding is used for maximum benefit include regular field monitoring visits to programme partners, annual narrative and financial reporting against agreed objectives and budgets, end of programme evaluations and ongoing reviews of compliance.

In addition, the Evaluation and Audit Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade periodically evaluates and audits NGO partners. Recently evaluations of Concern, Goal, Trócaire and Christian Aid have been completed and provide evidence that Ireland's funding to these NGOs has contributed to the alleviation of poverty and vulnerability in the communities where they work.

The Government is firmly committed to targeting our aid to ensure the alleviation of poverty among the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our NGO partners will continue to play a crucial role as we strive to achieve the maximum benefit from Ireland's development co-operation programme and its contribution to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.