Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
34. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the fact that money spent on resettling Ukrainian refugees is being counted towards Ireland's official development assistance spending figures in 2023 and 2024; his views on whether this is appropriate; his further views on whether this will lead to the ODA to be spent overseas being squeezed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46887/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2024, the Government has provided for a €60 million increase in the allocation for the Official Development Assistance budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs, bringing it to its highest ever level. The increased funding will be focused on addressing humanitarian crisis, the consequences of the war in Ukraine, growing food insecurity globally and the impact of climate change on the most vulnerable communities in developing countries.
In accordance with the reporting rules of Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, specific costs of hosting refugees in their first year are eligible to be counted as ODA. In reporting these figures, Ireland has been very transparent in identifying the costs relating to the hosting of Ukrainian refugees, and the contribution which these make to our overall ODA levels.
It is important to note that none of the ODA-eligible costs associated with the hosting of Ukrainian refugees in 2022, and again this year, have been sourced from the Government's ODA allocations to the Department of Foreign Affairs, and there has therefore been no diversion of overseas aid for this purpose. This will remain the case for 2024.
