Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Willie Penrose

Question:

36 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest estimates as to when Irish overseas development aid will reach the target of 0.45% of GNP set in An Action Programme for the Millennium and the UN target of 0.7% of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16850/00]

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

46 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of the Irish aid budget both in absolute terms and as a percentage of GNP for each of the years 1997, 1998, 1999; and the pro jected budget for the years 2000, 2001, and 2002. [16916/00]

Brendan Smith

Question:

53 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, there are to bring the level of funding for official development assistance to the UN target of 0.7% of GNP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16392/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

103 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans if any, he has to bring international aid contributions up to the UN recommended level of GDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17034/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to increase the number of countries with which Ireland has a bilateral aid programme; the number of such countries and the likely additions, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17035/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 46, 53, 103 and 104 together.

The budget for official development assistance (ODA) has grown very considerably in recent years. However, the size of the budget relative to GNP has not made comparable progress. The explanation for this discrepancy is the exceptional GNP growth of recent years and the introduction of a new method of GNP measurement which has had the effect of increasing the nominal size of GNP. For the period 1997-99, the figures were as follows:

	£m	% GNP
1997	124	0.27
1998	140	0.27
1999	181	0.31

The allocation for the current year is £201 million which is equivalent to 0.31% of estimated GNP.

As to the future, I am very close to bringing proposals to Government which would have the effect of establishing a growth strategy for ODA. The objective of the proposed strategy is to achieve steady growth of ODA in both financial and GNP terms with a view to achieving the target of 0.7% of GNP as ODA within a definite and realistic timescale. I expect to be in a position to present my proposals to Government within the coming weeks.

The possible expansion of the list of priority countries for our bilateral assistance will also be considered in the context of my proposals for Government. As the House is aware, there are currently six priority countries for our bilateral programme: Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. While the possibility of expanding the list is attractive in the context of a growing budget, the policy implications of the choice of a new priority country would have to be carefully considered. It would also be necessary to give close attention to the timing and the management implications of any such initiative.