Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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87. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider developing a roadmap to achieve the 0.7% of GDP ODA target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, 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. Our 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) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), as economic conditions allow. In the current Programme for Government we have set out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit. Progress needs to be made in a sustainable and manageable way, which continues to strengthen 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.

During the very difficult economic circumstances of recent years, the Government managed to stabilise and largely protect allocations to ODA. Since 2011 we have made annual contributions in excess of €600 million and have cumulatively allocated over of €4.5 billion in the period 2011 to 2017. This represents a remarkable commitment of public funds towards the fight to eradicate global hunger, reduce extreme poverty and provide humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Over the past two year we have again commenced increasing funding allocations for ODA in a sustained and measured way, providing an additional of €40 million in 2016 and a further €10 million for 2017. The total 2017 allocation for ODA will be €651 million.

Based on current Department of Finance forecasts for GNP we anticipate the ODA/GNP percentage outturn for 2016 to be in region of 0.3% with a similar level projected for 2017. The reduction in the percentage has been affected by the step change in the measurement of Ireland’s GNP.

We remain committed to making incremental, sustainable progress towards achieving the 0.7% UN target by 2030, over the period of the Sustainable Development Goals.