Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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736. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost based on current growth forecasts of reaching 0.38%, 0.39%, 0.4%, 0.41%, 0.42%, 0.43%, 0.44%, 0.45%, 0.46%, 0.47%, 0.48%, 0.49% and 0.5% of the United Nations target for overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1550/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. “One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates the Government’s commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and to making progress towards that target once economic conditions permit. For 2016 we have provided a total of €641 million for Official Development Assistance, the first substantial increase in seven years and a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to the aid programme. As the economy continues to grow, I am confident we can make further progress towards meeting the UN target. A table sets out the volume of ODA which would be required to deliver an ODA/ GNP percentage of between 0.38% and 0.50%, as requested by the Deputy. These calculations are based on the current Department of Finance forecast for GNP in 2016.

Figures in € millions