Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount of foreign aid provided by the Government since 2005 to date in 2013; if he will provide the breakdown of amount for each year and the amount for non-disaster finds and disaster funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51856/13]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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This Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. The programme reflects the generosity and values of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Since 2005, Ireland has contributed over €6.4 billion to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Of this total funding approximately 80% was administered by my Department through Vote 27 International Cooperation - while the remainder is made up of ODA eligible contributions from other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget. A summary of Ireland’s total ODA since 2005 years is provided below.

Detailed analysis of Ireland’s ODA is provided in the statistical annexes to the Irish Aid annual report available on the Irish Aid website at .

Responding to humanitarian emergencies and their aftermath is a central feature of Ireland’s aid programme. Emergency humanitarian assistance saves lives, alleviates suffering and maintains human dignity. Recovery assistance provides focused support to countries emerging from conflict or natural disasters, assisting affected populations re-establish their lives. In responding to emergencies and their aftermath, Irish Aid works with a variety of partners to best meet the needs of affected communities - including host Governments, Irish and international NGOs, the International Red Cross/Red Crescent movement, and multilateral agencies such as the UN.

Given the unpredictable nature of this type of aid, annual funding varies from year to year. Over the period 2005 to 2013 approximately 12% of total ODA was allocated to emergency response and recovery assistance, although annual allocation levels varied from 10% to 14%. The detailed analysis for Emergency and Recovery Assistance for each year is included in the statistical annexes to the Irish Aid annual report.