Written answers

Tuesday, 23 September 2014

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Overseas Development Aid

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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423. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on plans regarding the overseas development programme in 2015. [35642/14]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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425. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the improving financial circumstances of the State, if the financial contribution made by the Government on behalf of the Irish people towards assisting developing nations and humanitarian projects will be increased at a minimum in line with inflation so that Ireland begins to move towards achieving the UN's target on development aid of 0.7% of Gross National Income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35795/14]

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 425 together.

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, which is at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy on International Development, “One World, One Future” clearly articulates our vision for a sustainable and just world, and sets out our goals and areas of focus for the coming years. The policy restates our commitment to achieving the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA), when economic circumstances permit.

Since coming to office, this Government has managed to successfully stabilise the budget for development assistance. This is a significant achievement, in extremely difficult budgetary and fiscal circumstances. In 2011 we provided €657 million for ODA, and between 2012 and 2013 our allocation to ODA increased slightly from €629 million to €637 million. For 2014 we expect to provide in excess of €600 million on ODA.

These are substantial allocations of public funds and provide clear evidence of our support and commitment to the aid programme. They also represent a genuine investment on behalf of the Irish people in assisting those less fortunate than ourselves. The estimates process for 2015 is now well advanced. The allocations for ODA, as with allocations to all Government Departments, will be framed in the context of our policy commitments and the overall budgetary circumstances we face. They will ultimately be a decision for Government. Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy, that I and the Minster for Foreign Affairs and Trade will make the strongest case possible for the development assistance programme in the Budget to be announced by the Minister for Finance on 14 October.

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