Vol. 565 No. 1
70 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it remains the Government's commitment to meet the target for ODA of 0.7% of GNP by 2007; the proportion of that target that will be met in 2003 and in each successive year up to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9868/03]
138 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress being made on meeting Ireland's commitment to 0.7% of GNP contribution to development aid. [9986/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 138 together.
Our 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 substantially in recent years, from €177 million in 1998 to €420 million in 2002. A further increase was provided for in 2003 bringing the total allocation for ODA to an expected €450 million, the highest ever allocation in the history of the programme. Current indications are that we will again reach 0.41% of GNP in 2003. Maintaining our contribution as a proportion of GNP in these difficult times is a measure of the Government's clear commitment to the aid programme and to achieving the United Nations target of 0.7% by 2007. The scale and timing of the increases in funding required to achieve the 0.7% target by 2007 will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
