Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Ivan Yates

Question:

176 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that his Department's ODA budget adequately benefits the targeted poor in the Third World; his views on whether it is adequate that an organisation like GOAL only received £1 million out of £189 million of an ODA budget in 1999; and if he will allocate greater resources through well established missionaries and non-governmental organisations in this field. [25137/00]

The emphasis in endeavouring to deliver a quality aid programme is on achieving a balance, on using all of the channels available to assist the development of the targeted country. This requires that there be a focus, across all sectors, on building the capability of the under-developed country to develop itself. NGOs are one valuable means of doing this and particularly of delivering help to the poorest of the poor. However, what is important, too, especially for sustained and lasting development, are the partnerships between donor and host Governments, which build the social, physical and governance infrastructure by which processes for ongoing development can be constructed and sustained. Also vital is the role of multilateral organisations on a range of issues, such as the enormous debt burden borne by developing countries.

Our relationship with NGOs is deep and abiding and based on our respect for the outstanding reputation they have established in helping poor people. We provide a range of assistance to NGOs through the following channels: emergency humanitarian assistance; emergency preparedness and post-emergency rehabilitation assistance; the NGO co-financing scheme for development projects; the block grants scheme; the in-country micro projects scheme; and the democratisation and human rights programme.

In 1999 NGOs received nearly £25 million from Ireland Aid, equivalent to 13% of total ODA of £181 million for the year. The percentage of Vote 39, the budget under my control, was higher, 15.36%. In 1999 GOAL received £1.4 million from the Irish programme in direct support and in aid channelled through it for specific humanitarian purposes. The OECD, in its examination in 1999 of the Irish programme commented that "by DAC (the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD) standards, direct support to NGO activities and support through NGOs already absorbs a relatively large share of the Irish Government's aid spending . . . Many observers, including NGOs themselves, are sceptical about large increases in funding, as it is doubtful whether Irish NGOs could expand their programmes more than marginally, at least in the short-term, and maintain quality in their activities".

Top
Share