Written answers

Thursday, 10 May 2012

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Overseas Development Aid

4:00 pm

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 41: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the percentage and the amount of money that goes from the Irish Aid budget each year to multilateral agencies; if this percentage amount remains the same each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23413/12]

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department, through our aid programme known as Irish Aid, provides funding to a number of key multilateral agencies whose policies and priorities align well with those of Irish Aid in the fight against global hunger, poverty alleviation and emergency response. While the precise percentages differ from year to year, on average approximately 30% of the development programme is delivered annually through key multilateral agencies.

A proportion of Irish Aid's multilateral assistance is mandatory, in particular our annual assessed contribution to the European Development Fund. However, most multilateral assistance is in the form of voluntary contributions to the core budgets of a small number of United Nations (UN) Agencies. Key partners supported include UNICEF - the UN Children's Fund; UNHCR - the UN Refugee Agency; and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) whose responsibilities include democratic governance and sustainable development. Irish Aid provides approximately 14% of its annual budget allocation to multilateral agencies through voluntary or assessed contributions.

In addition, Irish Aid uses multilateral agencies as a channel to deliver its aid programme at country level, particularly its emergency humanitarian assistance programme. This enables Irish Aid to provide a rapid response, through trusted and accountable implementing partners, in many poor countries where there is no direct Irish Aid presence or where such agencies bring additional value and experience. Key partners, at country level, include the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF) and, from time to time, World Bank Trust Funds which are used to manage programmes in difficult and high risk environments. Funding delivered through this mechanism varies from year to year depending on the nature and extent of the crises arising. In 2011 this support is estimated to be approximately 15% of the total Irish Aid allocation.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 42: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent survey by Dochas which found that while 85% of Irish persons believe overseas aid is important, only 49% of persons here believe Africa is better off now than two decades ago; the steps he will take to ensure that more positive messages are portrayed to the public in relation to the achievements of the Irish Aid programme in Sub Saharan Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/12]

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to improve the way in which Government, non-governmental organisations and the media can work together to communicate more effectively and more regularly the achievements of the Irish aid programme with the Irish public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/12]

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 42 and 43 together.

Ireland's development assistance programme, which is administered by Irish Aid in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has been recognised consistently by independent observers as one of the most effective in the world. It is focused on the fight against poverty and hunger in the poorest countries and communities, working in partnership with Governments and communities, with a particular concentration on sub-Saharan Africa.

The aid programme has been built on years of engagement by Irish missionaries and volunteers in developing countries. It is the Irish people's aid programme, rooted in our experiences and values as a nation. Over the years, the programme has been strongly supported by the public, and I welcome the latest opinion poll findings, which underline that support. However, the support of the public cannot be taken for granted. We have a duty to provide clear public information on the aid programme and on the results it is achieving. I believe it is important also that we situate our work clearly in the reality of life for communities in the developing world, in particular in Africa. In this regard, the Africa Strategy of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which was launched by the Tánaiste last September, aims to build a more coherent approach to Ireland's relations with Africa in the areas of development, political relations and the building of closer economic and trading links.

Africa is a changing, and complex continent, with some countries experiencing high rates of economic growth in recent years, while communities in some areas continue to face humanitarian emergencies and long-term poverty. Ireland's aid programme, which involves targeted partnerships with Governments and communities, has contributed to very positive change over the past decade, notably in the increase in the number of children at school, successes in immunising against childhood diseases and providing clean water and basic health care and improved economic opportunities for millions of people. I recognise the need to communicate these achievements clearly to the public, and to consult with the public on the direction of the aid programme, as we have been doing in recent months as part of the Review of the 2006 White Paper on Irish Aid.

Among the communications initiatives undertaken in recent years has been the Simon Cumbers Media Fund which was established in 2005 to facilitate media coverage which presents a balanced and realistic picture of the challenges facing communities in the developing world and of the progress that is being achieved. Over the past year alone, almost forty print and broadcast projects have been supported by the Fund. Irish Aid also works consistently with the print and broadcast media to promote clear and accurate coverage of the impact of the aid programme and of the work of Ireland's development NGOs.

Almost one third of Ireland's development assistance is channelled through development NGOs, and we have ensured that a specific focus on results is a key requirement for the receipt of Irish Aid funding. This year, I have approved multi-annual funding for the long term development work of nineteen major NGOs, which will amount to €65 million in 2012. To qualify for this programme funding, the NGOs involved were subject to a rigorous appraisal process, focused on their capacity to manage the money involved and to demonstrate clearly the intended results, and their strategic engagement with the Irish public.

Irish Aid will ensure that case studies of the work of these NGOs are included in the Annual Report, and in the enhanced presentation of the work of the aid programme which will be possible once the current redevelopment of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade / Irish Aid website has been completed later this year.

Over the coming months, we will complete the review of the Irish Aid White Paper and publish a clear set of priorities for the aid programme. This will help clarify our priorities for Ireland's EU Presidency in 2013 and our contribution to the major international debate on the framework for international development after 2015, the target date for the Millennium Development Goals. I believe that it is essential for this work that we continue to enhance our communications on Ireland's development policy and our programme of assistance, to the Irish public, the international community, and the people and communities we are working with in the developing world.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.