Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount of overseas aid the State is required to pay under UN requirements; the amount of overseas aid the State is required to pay under EU rules; and the amount the State voluntarily gives in addition to these sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1308/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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About one third of Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) is channelled through international organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union. Multilateral organisations play a central role in building international agreement on key development challenges and provide support for the fight against global poverty, for the protection and promotion of human rights and in response to disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

In 2011, Ireland channelled in excess of €100 million in ODA through the UN system. Of this figure, approximately €750,000 was provided as an assessed contribution. €39 million was provided as unearmarked voluntary contributions to UN agencies, including the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). Of the remaining €60 million, over €40 million was provided to UN agencies to respond to humanitarian crises worldwide, including €24 million to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and €6 million to the World Food Programme. Some €20 million is provided to UN agencies under our bilateral aid programmes, mainly in Africa.

In 2011, Ireland’s total allocation to the European Union institutions for overseas development assistance amounted to almost €110 million. €72 million was accounted for by Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation budget. Ireland’s assessed contribution to the European Development Fund, which funds EU development programmes for the African, Caribbean and Pacific regions amounted to €29 million. Ireland also contributed €8 million to the EU Global Climate Change Alliance.

Full details on these and all other aspects of funding by Irish Aid payments are included in Irish Aid’s 2011 Annual Report, which is available on the Irish Aid website at: