Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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586. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12808/17]

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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587. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans in reaching the recommended target of 0.7% GDP towards poverty overseas aid in view of the current figure Ireland contributes which stands at 0.36%; his further plans on working towards meeting this target; when he plans to meet this target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13259/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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604. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount Ireland spent on overseas development assistance in each of the years 2007 to 2016; and the percentage of gross national product the spend represents in each year. [14112/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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605. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount he expects Ireland to spend on overseas development assistance in 2017; and the percentage of gross national product he expects this spend to be. [14113/17]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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606. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount he expects Ireland to spend on overseas development assistance in 2018; and the percentage of gross national product he expects this spend to be. [14114/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 586, 587 and 604 to 606, inclusive, together.

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 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.

In 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 €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 years we have managed to increase funding allocations for ODA, providing an increase 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 will be at least 0.3%. However provisional preliminary figures show the outturn will surpass this level. For 2017 we are forecasting an ODA / GNP percentage level of at least 0.3%.

Ireland’s ODA contributions, together with the ODA/GNP percentage delivered for years 2007 through to 2016 are set out in the following table:

** Estimated based on Department of Finance Budget day Forecasts of GNP 2016.

We have not yet commenced the 2018 budget process. Final allocations to ODA, as with all public expenditure, will be a matter for Government, and will be set in the context of available resources and the competing budgetary demands we face. I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will be making the strongest possible case for an increase in the ODA for next year.