Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Overseas Development Aid.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

78 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that all overseas development aid is effective and going to the right places; his views on whether the method for making voluntary contributions could be improved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2538/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The first priority of official development assistance is to provide assistance to poorer developing countries. This assistance is designed to meet basic needs and to contribute to long-term economic and social development. There is also an emphasis that the assistance provided is both targeted and cost-effective.

Irish aid projects are subjected to regular reviews and evaluation from sectoral experts within the Development Co-operation Division. They are also subject to the scrutiny of Dáil Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and the ODA sub-committee of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and to review by international bodies such as the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD. Agencies in receipt of public moneys for emergency assistance and from the NGO co-financing scheme are required to produce reports on how the moneys are spent.

I am satisfied that the Irish aid programme is producing good results. It is also my concern to ensure that the money spent both bilaterally and multilaterally reaches its targets and is used in the most effective way possible.

The method for making voluntary contributions to international agencies is the best available and I am satisfied that all pertinent factors and information are taken fully into account in the course of deciding allocations. Allocations are made following a process of careful consideration which involves inputs from a wide range of sources including, in the case of UN development agencies, the Department's permanent missions to the United Nations in New York and Geneva. The performance of the international development agencies concerned are carefully monitored on an ongoing basis, and their policies and assistance programmes are assessed in terms of their relevance to the needs of the developing countries and their effectiveness in addressing those needs.