Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department have examined the level of reduction in the overseas aid budget of other EU-IMF programme countries; his views on whether the current percentage of expenditure is sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The Government is strongly committed to Ireland's overseas aid programme and to its place at the heart of Irish foreign policy. The programme reflects the values and generosity of spirit of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Our new policy on international development - One World, One Future - maintains the Government's focus on assisting some of the world's poorest countries and communities, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. It also takes account of Ireland's future economic and trading interests, as developing countries grow their economies and generate their own revenues, while we continue to enhance our ties with them. It also reconfirms the Government's commitment to achieving the UN target of contributing 0.7% of GNP in Official Development Assistance (ODA) when economic circumstances permit.

Over the past few years, despite the very difficult economic circumstances facing the country and the unprecedented demands on the exchequer, this Government has managed to largely stabilise our ODA budget. In all the circumstances, this is a very significant achievement and a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to the programme. Ireland's total ODA budget for next year is expected to be set at some €602 million, compared with €622 million in 2013. This is slightly less than 50 cent in every €100 of our national income.

The most recent data published by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) relates to 2012 and confirms that the ODA budgets of many donor countries, including Ireland, have been reduced as a result of the financial crisis. Details of donor ODA spending in 2013 will be published by the DAC in the spring of next year.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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107. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way Irish humanitarian aid to Syria has been utilised; if any aid committed to date has been used to battle the current polio endemic in that country; if he will provide an update on his engagement in the Syrian crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48975/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The protracted and tragic crisis in Syria and in neighbouring countries has resulted in unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, requiring a sustained and urgent response from the international community. As the number of fatalities moves towards 120,000, there are now approximately 9 million people who are in need of immediate life saving support. In addition to more than 6.5 million people who are displaced within Syria, there are currently 2.2 million Syrians who have fled the violence to take refuge in neighbouring countries. Ireland has been doing all it can to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people and is one of the most generous contributors to the humanitarian response on a per capita basis, having provided almost €14 million in assistance since the crisis began. Ireland has focused our humanitarian aid through trusted NGO partners, as well as to key UN partners and the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement - agencies capable of delivering impartial assistance to large numbers of beneficiaries. These agencies also play a key role in supporting the host governments in neighbouring countries to provide assistance to the refugee populations. This funding has supported the provision of water, food, shelter and vital medicines to internally displaced persons within Syria and also to refugees and host communities in neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, Turkey and Lebanon. We have worked closely with all agencies that receive Irish Aid support to ensure that the necessary systems are in place to monitor and evaluate the use and impact of Ireland's assistance, and to ensure aid is delivered in accordance with the fundamental humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

Recently confirmed cases of polio in the highly-contested north-east Deir-ez-Zor province of Syria are an extremely worrying development. These cases mark the first polio outbreak in Syria in 14 years. Our partners UNICEF and the World Health Organization have mobilized a campaign to contain the confirmed polio outbreak and have launched a national immunization strategy, targeting 1.6 million children. In light of the particularly worrying conditions for Syrian children, Ireland has to date provided €1 million to support UNICEF's efforts to enhance access to essential health services for children and we have provided an additional €300,000 to the World Health Organization in direct response to the crisis.

In order to assess the situation on the ground, I travelled to the region in early October. While there, I witnessed the deteriorating humanitarian situation and emphasised Ireland’s support for the generous efforts of Syria's neighbouring countries to provide shelter and basic services for Syrian refugees. During my visit, I announced an additional contribution of 3 million Euros for operations in Syria and neighbouring countries, thereby demonstrating Ireland's continued leadership and commitment to respond to one of the most complex humanitarian contexts in the world today.

Ireland has matched its material humanitarian support with concrete efforts to find a sustainable political solution to the crisis and to advocate for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access. We have consistently called for all parties to the conflict to fully respect international humanitarian law and to refrain from the targeting of civilians. In view of the immense needs in Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, Ireland will continue to provide assistance, within our means and as the situation evolves, to the humanitarian response.