Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) comprises two main elements. Some 80% is accounted for under the budget allocation to Vote 27 - International Co-operation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the Irish Aid programme. The remaining 20% is accounted for by Ireland’s share of the EU Development cooperation budget and by development contributions by other Government Departments, mainly to Multilateral and International Organisations.

Since 2011, Ireland has provided in excess of €3.8 billion in ODA. This has involved very significant annual contributions in excess of €600 million, at a time of great economic difficulty. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to Ireland’s aid programme. For the record a summary of annual contributions since 2011 is set out in the following table:

In 2015, Ireland’s budget allocation for ODA was €601 million while the final outturn was €647 million. This represented an increase of almost €33 million or just over 5% on the 2014 level. In the current year - 2016, Ireland’s budget allocation to ODA is just over €641 million - an increase of 7% on the 2015 budget allocation. I expect, based on past experience, that the final outturn for 2016 may exceed the budget allocation. However this final figure will not be available until early 2017.

The Government’s policy for international development “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) for Official Development Assistance (ODA). This commitment is restated in the Programme for Government, in which we have committed to making progress towards the UN target as resources permit.

As Ireland’s economic recovery strengthens and consolidates, we are committed to make good on that commitment, and moving towards the UN target in a managed and sustainable manner.