Vol. 537 No. 5
165 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he expects Ireland to meet the UN recommended levels of overseas development aid in 2001; his plans for improvement in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16733/01]
It is expected that total overseas development aid, ODA, will amount to 0.35% of GNP in 2001. Total ODA comprises the amount allocated under Vote 39 and payments by other Departments including Finance, Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and Environment and Local Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided last September to move progressively to the United Nations target for overseas development aid of 0.7% of GNP. The intention is that this target will be met by 2007 and, in addition, an interim target of 0.45% of GNP was set for 2002. Following this decision, agreement was reached between the Ministers for Finance and Foreign Affairs on a three year allocation for Vote 39 for the period 2001-2003. The amounts agreed were as follows: 2001 – £188 million, an increase of £51 million; 2002 – £293 million, an increase of £105 million; 2003 – £347 million, an increase of £54 million.
