Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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The Government's aid programme, Irish Aid, works on behalf of the Irish people to fight poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries in the world. Support to development education is an integral element of this work. The Non-Governmental Organisation referred to, Kerry Action for Development Education, received funding of €20,000 from Irish Aid under the 2014 Development Education Annual Grants call. The purpose of the annual grants is to provide support for the implementation of innovative, results focused initiatives that support the achievement of objectives set out in Irish Aid’s Development Education Strategy 2007-2015. Forty-two applications were received under the grants call in 2014. A total of €1.15 million was allocated to 30 successful organizations. This allocation was in line with the allocation for 2013. The Development Education Annual Grants Call is a competitive process. Grants are awarded based on the recommendations of a Development Education Grants Committee, which comprises independent consultants, a representative of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) and members of the Development Education Section in Irish Aid, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Input is also received from the Department of Education and Skills.

On the basis of the appraisals undertaken by the external consultants, the Committee reviews all proposals. In making recommendations for funding, it also considers issues of financial sustainability, alignment with Irish Aid’s strategic priorities, the development education approach and the organisation’s previous grant record. I am satisfied that the appraisal of all applications for funding was carried out fairly and independently, ensuring that all applicant organisations were assessed for grant allocations in a fair and consistent manner. It is open to all applicant organisations to discuss the outcome of their grant application with officials in my department.