Vol. 482 No. 3
7 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Government's target for increases in overseas development aid will be met in the context of the current Estimates campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18203/97]
The Estimates for 1998 have not yet been published but I am confident there will be a significant increase in the 1998 funding for official development assistance.
The resources available for ODA have increased significantly in recent years. Between 1992 and this year the budget increased from £40 million to £122 million, a threefold increase. Expressed as a percentage of GNP, the growth has been from 0.16 per cent to 0.31 per cent. Relative to other donors, our aid as a percentage of GNP has increased from less than half the average of all donors in 1992 to a position where it now exceeds the donor average. The Government is committed to maintaining a steady rate of growth in ODA with a view to reaching 0.45 per cent of GNP by 2002. This target is an interim step on the way to reaching the UN target of 0.7 per cent of GNP as soon as possible thereafter.
The projected increases will enable the Government to pursue the objectives established for Irish aid. These are to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development in some of the poorest countries of the world; to assist in establishing and maintaining peace in developing countries by fostering democracy, respect for human rights, gender and social equality and protection of the environment; to respond promptly to emergencies and humanitarian disasters, both natural and man-made, as they occur and to support preventive measures so that emergencies may, as far as possible, be avoided and to contribute to building civil society and social solidarity.
The composition of the Irish aid programme reflects these principles. A special programme on human rights has been established and has grown rapidly to approximately £1 million this year. The list of priority countries for Irish bilateral assistance has been extended to include some of the world's poorest countries with the addition of Mozambique in 1996. Collaboration with non-governmental organisations has expanded and now accounts for some 15 per cent of the total ODA budget. Our participation in multilateral assistance is pursued actively and reflects the same principles as those which underpin our bilateral programme.
The House can be assured the Government is committed to providing adequate resources for the ODA budget and that every effort will be made to ensure that our operational activities are of the highest possible standard.
The Minister said the increase from 1992 to 1996 was £40 million to £122 million. Is she confident there will be a proportionate increase in 1998 over those years? Are there operational areas where she envisages changing the programme as implemented prior to her arrival in the Department?
Following the substantial increases in ODA expenditure since 1992, I am satisfied there will be further increases in ODA funding for 1998. Since the Book of Estimates has not been published yet I cannot give specific details of the 1998 figures, but I am confident there will be a significant increase over this year's figures.
Will the Minister stand over it?
I am confident the increase, which will be announced in the Estimates, will be in line with the Government commitment to increase ODA over the period of the Government to 0.45 per cent, with a view to moving in the direction of 0.7 per cent of GNP as recommended by the UN. I am interested in increasing the democratisation elements of our development assistance programmes. Democratisation and human rights elements are included in all such programmes and it is intended to increase the democratisation budget in the forthcoming Estimates. To outline how the money will be spent——
The Minister knows how much money will be involved.
Yes, but since the Estimates have not come before the Oireachtas the process has not been finalised. I am happy we have secured a significant increase over this year's figure and that it will be more than sufficient to satisfy my Department's needs next year.
That is not what I heard.
Is the Deputy saying he has information from the Department of which he should not be in possession? If so, I would like him to expand on that.
I will ask questions for now. Since the Minister will not disclose the amount involved, we all await the Estimates. I am glad the Minister is confident the increase will be pro rata and substantial. I hope it will be consistent with the increases of the past five years. Did the Minister have an opportunity to review the accounting procedures of non-governmental organisations? Will she bring reports before the Oireachtas on that matter and will she recommend changes in the accounting procedures?
In the past year the Department has revised and strengthened its procedures for funding applications from NGOs under the various schemes operated by Irish Aid. I raised with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the question of legislation to regulate the operation of charities generally. I am happy that within my Department there is ongoing evaluation and supervision of the funds given to NGOs by the taxpayer, through bilateral programmes.
Those funds are constantly surpervised. It is clear the people want proper transparent accountability in respect of all the funds provided by the taxpayer through the overseas budget development to help the poorest of the world.
