Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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437. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount allocated to overseas development aid for 2023; the priorities for funding; his views on whether Ireland's overseas development aid adequately meets the need in countries such as Somalia; the amount of the funding that is directed to civil society organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54676/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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For 2023, the Government is providing a total of over €1.22 billion for Official Development Assistance. This is the largest ever allocation, and an increase of 17% on 2022 allocation. The overall increase of €177 million includes €100 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs. €75 million of this will focus on the direct and indirect impact of the war in Ukraine, and €25 million is towards meeting our international climate finance commitments.

We are working to ensure that Ireland's response to global crises integrates more effectively our humanitarian, development and climate programmes, in partnership with the multilateral system, with civil society, and with the private sector.

A Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, provides the framework for a whole of government development cooperation programme. Rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals, it aims to focus our efforts on four policy priorities: (i) gender equality; (ii) reducing humanitarian need; (iii) climate action; and (iv) strengthening governance. It contains a clear commitment, in all our work, to reach the furthest behind first.

Ireland has provided over €65 million in direct humanitarian assistance to Somalia since 2012, in response to crises of drought, food insecurity and conflict.

I had the opportunity to visit the Horn of Africa at the end of August, and witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by the drought and the impact of the crisis on vulnerable communities in the region. In early September I announced an immediate additional funding package of €3.2 million for the Horn of Africa. In addition a further €30 million for humanitarian assistance to the Horn of Africa this year was announced in Budget 2023. A significant portion of this funding will be provided for programmes assisting Somalia.

The Department of Foreign Affairs works closely in partnership with civil society organisations in order to further our common policy objectives, notably the eradication of hunger and poverty. Our Civil Society partners, and the individual grant allocations to them are published annually. The information can be found at Annex 12 of this link below: Irish Aid Annual Report 2021. I can confirm that funding to non-Governmental organisations accounted for 21% of Ireland's total ODA last year.