Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on overseas aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57459/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s programme of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a central element of our foreign policy, enabling us to respond to complex human needs and humanitarian crises across the world. The Government is committed to working towards the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in ODA.  

For 2023, the Government is providing a total of over €1.22 billion for ODA.  This is the largest ever allocation, and an increase of 17% on the 2022. The overall increase of €188 million includes €111 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs.  €75 million of this will be directed to the direct and indirect impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and €25 million towards meeting our international climate finance commitments.

A Better World, the Governments development policy document, provides the framework for a whole of government development cooperation programme. 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 to reaching the furthest behind first.

Each year my Department publishes an Annual Report setting out how Ireland's ODA programme is being channelled . The report for 2021 was launched in October, and is available to the public on the Irish Aid website.

Ireland’s ODA, and the international development programme it funds, are regularly reviewed by the OECD Development Assistance Committee.  The most recent review in 2020 found the programme to be “strong, with many areas of excellence”.