Bernard Allen
Question:178 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of applications made to his Department by charities for aid in 2000; and the amount given in each case. [23959/01]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
I understand the Deputy's question to refer to the Government's official development assistance programme, Ireland Aid, which is administered by my Department. Each year Ireland Aid receives and processes large numbers of funding applications from a broad range of organisations involved in development activities throughout the developing world. The principal categories of applicants are; Irish and international non-governmental organisations – NGOs; Irish missionaries and linked organisations; and a wide range of local community groups and NGOs in poor countries. Funding is also provided to NGOs through the Agency for Personal Service Overseas APSO and the National Committee for Development Education NCDE for development education activities.
The primary channels for the disbursement of Ireland Aid funding, to the groups referred to above, is through the co-financing of development projects, which focus especially on addressing basic needs and reducing poverty. Funds are also provided for emergency and post-emergency rehabilitation assistance and for projects which promote and protect human rights and democratisation. The sectoral and geographic spread of this funding is extremely wide, with the majority of projects being funded throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America, covering all the main basic needs sectors, such as primary health care, basic education, water and sanitation, rural development and income generation.
During 2000, Ireland Aid provided, directly and indirectly, funding of almost £25.5 million, in support of projects implemented by NGOs. Examples of Ireland Aid schemes which provided funds to NGOs in 2000 include: the main scheme of the NGO co-financing scheme, under which 178 project applications were considered and 119 projects were provided with funding of more than £3.3 million in total; and the emergency humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness and post-emergency rehabilitation schemes under which 111 NGO project applications were assessed, with 72 being approved for total funding of more than £8.9 million. A detailed breakdown of all the individual projects funded, including details regarding country, agency, project details and the amount provided in each case, will be set out in the forthcoming Ireland Aid annual report for 2000 which is to be published shortly.