Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 157 together.

The Government's policy for international development, A Better World, provides the framework for our whole-of-government development cooperation programme. Rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the policy focuses our efforts on four priorities of gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance. The focus is on reaching the furthest behind first, through working with those living in some of the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries and those living in conflict settings, with a particular emphasis on protecting women and girls.

Ireland channels its Official Development Assistance (ODA) through multilateral organisations such as the UN, and international financial institutions including the World Bank, as well as through civil society organisations, including internationally renowned Irish development NGOs. We also provide bilateral assistance directly through our Embassies abroad. The most important criterion for decisions on which channel to use is the ability of a partner to reach those that are furthest behind, in the most timely and effective way possible. Our funding is complemented by Ireland's political and diplomatic engagement. These complementary channels ensure that Ireland’s ODA is directed to where it is needed most, in the most appropriate way.

The allocation to Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2023 is over €1.233 billion, the highest ever allocation and an 18% increase on last year’s allocation. This helps ensure that we can maintain our long-standing focus on the most vulnerable countries and communities, including those most seriously affected by food insecurity and conflict.

Ireland continues to respond to humanitarian emergencies as they arise. For example, last week the Tánaiste announced €1 million in Irish Aid support to the people of Ukraine who are experiencing an additional humanitarian crisis following the devastating flooding as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

In April, I also had the opportunity to visit Malawi and Zambia. Ahead of the visit, I announced €400,000 in support for people affected by Cyclone Freddy, which struck Malawi and claimed the lives of over 600 people with more than 500,000 people displaced and living in camps.

Each year 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. This analysis informs the annual Irish Aid report which includes details of the global locations in which ODA is directed to. The Irish Aid annual reports are available publicly on the internet (Where the Money Goes - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie).

Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation and underpinning Irish Aid’s work is a commitment to quality. A 2020 OECD Peer Review of Ireland's development cooperation found Ireland to be a strong voice for sustainable development which invests in strong partnerships with civil society and was effective in addressing fragility. Also in 2020, the international think-tank ODI found Ireland to be the most principled donor country in allocating overseas development.