Charles Flanagan (Laois, 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.

The current Programme for Government sets out our ambition to making progress towards the UN Target as resources permit. It is important that such progress is made in a sustainable and manageable way which strengthens Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight to end global poverty and hunger.

For 2016 we have provided a total of €641 million for Official Development Assistance, the first substantial increase in budget allocation in seven years. As our economic recovery continues to consolidate, I am confident we can make further progress towards meeting the UN target.

The table below sets out the volume of ODA which would be required to deliver an ODA/ GNP percentage of between 0.36% and 0.40% in 2017. These calculations are based on the most recent Department of Finance forecast for GNP 2017.