Vol. 529 No. 1
216 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the issue of a specific subhead in the Estimates and a specific section in the Finance Act for funding for operational non-governmental organisations and missionaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2816/01]
257 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the call from Irish NGO aid agencies for a greater percentage of the ODA budget which in 1999 amounted to £189 million, of which Concern and Goal received about £4 million between them; and if he will recommend to Government that a specific budget line for operational NGOs and missionaries be created through a subhead in the Estimates which would amount to at least 20% of the overall Irish aid budget. [2348/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 257 together.
In the context of the major increases in the Irish Government's programme of development co-operation, as committed by the Taoiseach at the millennium summit, the role of NGOs is being strengthened. This is manifested by increased levels of funding. The provisional outturn for the aid programme in 2000 is approximately £210 million, of which £138 million is under the direct control of Ireland Aid through the Department of Foreign Affairs. NGOs received approximately £19 million directly from the Department. In addition, we estimate that approximately £8.35 million was dispersed to NGOs via APSO and NCDE, both of which are directly funded by Ireland Aid. Therefore, a total of £27.35 million was allocated to NGOs which represents almost 20% of the funds under direct Ireland Aid control for expenditure purposes. A number of Irish NGOs also receive funds from multilateral agencies such as the UN and the EU to which the Irish Government contributes from its development co-operation budget.
I agree that the provision for NGOs in Vote 39 should be explicitly published as part of the Estimates. Accordingly, in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2001 to be published next month, a breakdown of subhead A, which covers the bilateral aid programme, should show how much has been provided in block grant assistance, in the main co-financing scheme and in the local co-financing scheme. I am confident the publication of this information will contribute to the growing openness in the management of the aid programme and highlight the developing partnership between the programme and NGOs.
Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 99.
