asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if an effective and broadly based programme of development education will be an essential part of this country's overall development co-operation effort; and, if so, if he will promote such a programme.
30.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development Education Programme.
29.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs how much of the 1981 development co-operation budget it is proposed to allocate to development education; and how this compares with the equivalent figures for 1979 and 1980.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
The expenditure on development education in 1979 and 1980 and proposed for 1981 are as follows: 1979 — £86,091; 1980 — £28,930; 1981 — £40,000 (proposed).
I fully agree that development education is an essential part of our Development Co-operation Programme. Since 1978 specific funds have been set aside for development education under our Development Co-operation Programme. These funds have been used to finance activities, such as seminars and films, undertaken directly by my Department and to co-finance development education activities by non-governmental organisations. Although our development education programme is still at an early stage of development. I believe that good progress has already been made in increasing awareness in Ireland of the Third World and I am particularly happy that such a wide variety of people, including schools, youth groups and many adult groups including the trade union movement, have become involved in this work. I can assure the Deputy that it is my intention to expand the development education programme in the future, taking into account the overall level of funds available.
Will the Minister indicate why the expenditure dropped from £86,000 to £28,000 and has now risen to £40,000?
The 1979 figure included substantial expenditure on films and travel for development education purposes. In 1980 we were obliged to reduce expenditure in these areas. However, the assitance given to non-governmental organisations was largely maintained. Moreover, the provision for development education this year is almost 40 per cent greater than the total expenditure in 1980.
Will the Minister state the reason for the reduction in expenditure in last year's budget?
The general tightness of money made it necessary to effect savings in various areas. This was one of them.
In view of the unprecedented generosity and concern of the Irish people as expressed in the Lenten Trocaire collection, does the Minister not agree that money spent directly on development education in this country would have a multiplier effect far beyond the sums involved here? When one takes inflation into account, it is obvious that there has been a cutback in assistance by the Government. Will the Minister give an assurance to the House that extra funds will be made available for development education purposes?
There has been an increase of approximately 40 per cent this year which I regard as a satisfactory increase.