Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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340. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Irish Aid continues to be made available throughout the globe with particular reference to those areas most seriously in need of support and attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58096/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which and the level of bilateral aid currently supported by Ireland; the locations at which this aid is targeted worldwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58104/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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350. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland's position in relation to multilateral aids with particular reference to the degree to which all such aid is received by those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58106/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 348 and 350 together.

The Government's international development policy, A Better World, focuses on meeting the needs of the furthest behind first, with an emphasis on those in the world’s poorest and climate exposed countries. Ireland’s programme of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a central element of our foreign policy.

The allocation to the programme for 2023 will be €1.23 billion, the highest ever and a 17% increase on 2022. The overall increase includes an additional €111 million for the international development programme operated by the Department of Foreign Affairs, including €75 million to address the direct and indirect impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and €25 million towards meeting our international climate finance commitments.

The Department of Foreign Affairs reports to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) on overall expenditure on ODA against a set of internationally agreed statistical standards. The figures are included in the Annual Report for 2021, which was launched in October and is available to the public on the Irish Aid website. It includes a detailed analysis of bilateral and multilateral aid. I can confirm that last year, €516.73 million was allocated to bilateral ODA. The top thirty recipient are listed in the Annual Report, at: www.irishaid.ie/media/irishaid/IrishAid_AR_2021_WEB_V5-FA.pdf

Ireland's assistance is channelled through bilateral ODA managed through our Embassies in the relevant countries, Irish and international civil society organisations, and multilateral organisations, including the UN, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank. The allocations are based on the effectiveness of partners in addressing poverty and hunger and reaching communities that are furthest behind.

Ireland has a well-earned reputation as a constructive and reliable partner to multilateral organisations, with funding that is of high quality. The OECD highlighted Ireland as "an excellent humanitarian partner", with its funding models a "useful inspiration for other donors". In 2021 Ireland reached almost 100% flexible humanitarian funding. Over 50% of this was provided on a multi-annual basis. This long-term, flexible approach to financing is essential to allow our trusted partners to respond quickly to complex and changing crises.