Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of locations worldwide currently in receipt of Irish aid; the extent to which the relevant aid agencies remain satisfied regarding the security of their personnel and the efficacy and efficiency of distribution in the various locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31121/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Ireland’s aid programme, Irish Aid, which is managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is strongly focused on the fight to end extreme poverty and hunger, especially in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. In 2012, the Government provided a total of €639 million for Official Development Assistance. Ireland’s assistance is directed to development programmes and emergency humanitarian assistance in over eighty of the world’s least developed countries. As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s aid programme, I am aware that Irish-based aid agencies and their partners operate in some of the most sensitive and insecure locations in the world. The Government strongly supports and promotes the efforts taken by many of these organisations to develop solid security management plans and to employ dedicated security professionals to help train staff and ensure that they are adequately protected during the course of their work.

I am very conscious of the need to ensure that Ireland's assistance continues to be delivered in most efficient and effective manner and that it makes a real difference in the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable. The OECD Development Assistance Committee has highlighted Ireland as a highly effective donor and noted the high quality of our aid programme. I am committed to ensuring that we maintain these high standards.

To ensure that Irish Aid support is effectively delivered across all our locations, we work in partnership with national governments, local communities, NGOs, and other key multilateral partners such as the United Nations and European Union. All agencies that are in receipt of our funding are subject to appraisal and regular internal and external monitoring to ensure that Irish aid is used in the effective and efficient manner and that it reaches the intended beneficiaries.