Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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233. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland’s overseas development aid programme continues to identify the most suitable and deserving recipients for aid; the extent of such aid in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4183/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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A Better World, Ireland's international development policy, identifies reaching the furthest behind first as a key objective, mandating the Irish Aid programme to work with countries and people in greatest need. Half of Ireland’s bilateral development assistance is specifically targeted at assisting low income and least developed countries, double the OECD average: additionally, Irish Aid’s humanitarian response places a strong emphasis on fragile context and addressing so-called ‘forgotten crises’.

Ireland’s commitment to, and ability to deliver on, a needs-based allocation of development assistance is internationally recognised. In 2020, the OECD assessed the Irish Aid programme, finding Ireland to be "an excellent humanitarian partner", with the Irish Aid funding model a "useful inspiration for other DAC donors". It was this emphasis on those most in need which the respected international think-tank ODI assessed last year, finding Ireland to be the most principled donor.

The allocation to development aid has increased year on year for the past eight years, with the 2022 allocation to exceed €1 billion for the first time. The table below sets out the allocations to official development aid for the five years 2017-21.

Detailed information about the recipient partners and countries of Ireland's development cooperation can be found in the Irish Aid Annual Reports for the years 2017- 2020, available on the Irish Aid website. The 2021 Annual Report will be published later this year.

Total ODA 2017-2020

* This is 2021 ODA allocation. Final 2021 out turn is calculated in arrears and will be published in the 2021 Annual Report

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number and location of projects currently assisted by Ireland’s programme at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4184/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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In line with our Policy for International Development: A Better World, and international best practice, Ireland delivers its Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme through a range of different channels. These channels include funding through Multilateral Organisations, Non-Government Organisations and government systems in partner countries amongst others. Approximately 60 percent of Ireland’s total ODA is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the balance administered though other Departments.

My Department works closely with selected partners to ensure lasting improvements in the lives of communities living in poverty and supporting the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Each year Ireland bilaterally supports partners to undertake approximately 900 project-type interventions across more than 80 countries. Funding to our partners range from core contributions through to specific-purpose programmes that address humanitarian and development needs. This international work is supplemented by our development education engagement that takes place here in Ireland. Annually, approximately fifty Development Education projects are supported. These range in size and scale and target primary, secondary and third level students and well as the general public.

My Department publishes a report on Ireland's ODA programme, known as Irish Aid, each year. The report includes statistical information on programme expenditure in a series of annexes which clearly show the distribution of aid, the amounts allocated to our priority focus areas and amounts given through the various channels and countries. The annual report serves as a core accountability and transparency tool, providing a comprehensive overview of expenditure under the aid programme, and demonstrating the results that have been achieved. Annual Reports for 2020 and previous years are available on the Irish Aid website. The report on 2021 will be available later this year.