Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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134. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Irish Aid’s programme in Sierra Leone; and his further views on whether this programme is vital and should be sustained in view of the fact that the country is still emerging from conflict and humanitarian crises. [4043/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s ongoing engagement in and with Sierra Leone, a key partner for our development cooperation, is consistent with Ireland’s long-standing commitment to support fragile and conflict-affected states.

The programme of bilateral assistance delivered by the Embassy of Ireland in Freetown played a crucial role in supporting the response to the Ebola crisis between 2014 and 2016, including through close cooperation with local and international partners. Since the end of the recovery period, the Embassy has shifted its attention to wider development priorities, in line with those set out in the One World One Future development cooperation strategy document, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

A budget of €6.7 million has been allocated for Ireland’s cooperation with Sierra Leone in 2018, with the aim of improving child nutrition, ensuring good governance and promoting gender equality.

The government of Sierra Leone is preparing a new poverty reduction strategy, which will be further informed by the programme of the new government, following Presidential and parliamentary elections in March. The Embassy of Ireland in Freetown, through its political engagement which complements the development programme, is providing ongoing financial, technical and political support to the electoral process, with the aim of ensuring that this year’s elections are peaceful, inclusive, credible and timely.

Planning for a new multi-annual Mission Strategy for the Embassy in Freetown is also underway. When finalised, this Strategy will form the framework for Ireland’s engagement with Sierra Leone, including development priorities, over the coming years.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans with regard to the future of Irish Aid’s programme with a view towards investment in countries in Central and Latin America. [4062/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, 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.

The international development context has evolved significantly over the past five years: this forms the backdrop to the Government’s intention to produce a new policy on international development in 2018. This will build on Ireland’s existing development cooperation programme, taking stock of the implications of a fast-changing global environment, and set priorities for Ireland’s international development policy for the coming years.

In line with Ireland’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, my Department provides development assistance to over eighty of the world’s least developed countries, supporting their needs. In addition, Ireland continues to respond to emergencies and protracted crises with humanitarian assistance.

Ireland has a long history of support for the development of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The majority of Ireland’s long-term development assistance to there is channelled through Irish and international non-governmental organisations, while support to missionaries continues.

The largest proportion of this funding has been allocated to humanitarian and long-term development interventions in Haiti, with Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala also receiving significant funding. Between 2012 and 2016, Irish Aid contributed over €45 million in long-term development and humanitarian assistance to this region.

Ireland is also supporting the peace process in Colombia, where former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, was appointed as EU Special Envoy for the Colombian Peace Process in 2015. My Department’s work sharing the experience of peacebuilding in Northern Ireland has been valued as a contribution by all sides in Colombia. In addition to this lesson sharing, Ireland contributes to the EU and UN trust funds for the Colombian Peace Process and also supports the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia, the role of civil society and human rights defenders.

The new policy on international development which my Department is preparing will inform future investments which will continue to respond to existing needs, humanitarian crises and overall programme priorities. We will build on our longstanding development partnerships and cooperation in developing countries, including in Latin America and the Caribbean. Internal preparations and analysis are already underway, as are preparations for a consultation with external stakeholders. The independent work of the review of the Irish Aid programme currently being undertaken by the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Foreign Affairs and Trade (JCFAT) will also feed into development of the new policy.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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136. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Exchequer funding earmarked for Tanzania through Irish Aid for 2018; and his views on the future policy of investment in Tanzania as it moves towards middle income status. [4072/18]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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€21 million has been allocated to Ireland’s bilateral programme in Tanzania in 2018, with additional funding of approximately €2 million allocated to Irish and international NGOs operating in Tanzania. The bilateral programme supports vulnerable groups such as women and youth in the areas of sustainable livelihoods, reproductive health and nutrition as well as strengthening democratic space and supporting refugees.

Tanzania has the fastest growing economy in the East African Community, with consistent growth rates of 7%. It has benefitted from growth in manufacturing, services, construction and tourism. With such rapid economic growth, the Tanzanian government has set a target of 2025 to reach middle income status. However, slow growth in agriculture, where the majority of the population make a living, coupled with significant population growth, mean that the benefits of growth are not widely distributed. Tanzania is still among the 25 poorest countries in the world with 28% of the mainland population (over 12 million people) living below the national poverty line, and 43% below the international poverty line.

This analysis informs decision making in targeting resources as part of Ireland’s development programming in Tanzania and explains the focus on supporting the vulnerable groups such as women and children. This is in line with the overarching strategy for my Department and one strand of our strong relationship with Tanzania which also includes a growing focus on trade and investment. The Irish Embassy in Tanzania will continue to work closely with Irish and Tanzanian businesses, and the relevant government agencies, to increase trade and business links between our countries.