The Government's national programme of assistance to developing countries comprises two elements. The major component is my Department's Vote for International Co-operation, €374 million in 2003, while elements of official development assistance, ODA – expected to total some €80 million in 2003 – are administered by other Departments.
Total ODA has increased dramatically in recent years, rising from €177 million in 1998 to an expected €450 million in 2003. Figures for the last five years – the amounts for 2002 are provisional – are set out in the following table.