Vol. 529 No. 3
87 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views regarding funding for non-governmental organisations and missionaries in the Third World; if he will provide a specific subhead in the Book of Estimates for funding for these organisations; his further views on the provision of a multi-annual grant for these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2794/01]
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 organisations 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 fully agree that the provision for NGOs in Vote 39 should be explicitly published as part of the Book of 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 that 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.
The partnership between our aid programme and NGOs is set to continue and indeed flourish. My Department is in discussion with a number of the larger NGOs, currently in receipt of block grant funding for development projects and programmes in the Third World, with a view to introducing a system of multi-annual programme budgeting. Adopting a multi-annual programme budgeting system will facilitate better planning of NGO activities and an increased focus on outcomes, rigorous evaluation and long-term impact. The assurance regarding funding levels will allow NGOs to strengthen their own relationships with their partners in developing countries. My Department's discussions with NGOs are progressing well and it is hoped that this new system of budgeting will be in place early in 2002.
