Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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77. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the State can realise commitments in one world one future; and the steps that can be taken to realise Ireland's 0.7% target in overseas development assistance in order to continue untied aid directed at the poorest. [25450/17]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s development aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Ireland’s policy for international development, One World One Future, defines the goals and priorities that guide all decisions on Ireland’s development cooperation programme. Our aid is untied and provided wholly on the basis of need. Our policy clearly commitments us to making progress towards the UN 0.7% target as economic conditions allow. The current Programme for Government reiterates this position, and sets out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit.

Last month the OECD published the official ODA figures for 2016. Ireland’s total contribution to ODA in 2016, increased by some 12 % on the 2015 levels, to almost €724 million. This is the third consecutive year of growth in ODA volumes, and is a very clear demonstration of this Government’s commitment to increasing resources to our Aid Programme as economic conditions allow. The OECD also confirmed that last year we reversed the trend of a declining ODA / GNP percentage. Ireland’s percentage rose to 0.33% for 2016, up from 0.32% in 2015. For the current year we have increased the budget allocation to ODA by €10 million on the 2016 level.

The 2018 estimates process is due to commence shortly. And while the decision on final allocations to ODA, as with all public expenditure, will ultimately be a matter for Government, and will be made in the context of available resources and the competing budgetary demands facing Government, I can assure the Deputy that, I and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will be making the strongest possible case for an increase in ODA for next year.

The challenge now is to continue to make sustained, manageable progress in meeting our commitment towards moving towards the UN target, while ensuring our aid programme continues to focus relentlessly on the core objectives of eradicating global hunger, reducing extreme poverty and providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.