Vol. 542 No. 2
203 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by some experts in the field that aid in some cases may not reach those for whom it was intended; the plans he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24351/01]
The Government is very concerned that all possible steps are taken to ensure that official aid reaches the poorest of the poor. Our programme is delivered through a number of channels directly via bilateral co-operation through multilateral agencies, NGOs and partner organisations.
The evaluation and audit unit of Ireland Aid leads a rigorous system of internal and external evaluation, for example, the OECD, to ensure that this aid is reaching the beneficiaries and that programmes are performing to expectations while giving value for money.
The target of reducing poverty is reflected both in the choice of Ireland Aid priority countries, all of which are among the poorest of the poor, and in the heavy concentration of the bilateral aid programme which addresses the real needs of the poor such as basic education, health, including a strong HIV-AIDS component, water and sanitation, agriculture, rural roads and the promotion of good governance.
204 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he proposes to enhance the funds available to Irish aid agencies arising from recent developments throughout the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24352/01]
It is assumed that this question refers to the terrible events which took place in the United States on 11 September and their global implications. Details of the Government's response to these events have been provided separately in my replies to the relevant oral and written questions, also taken today. As outlined in those replies, the £2.8 million emergency aid package announced by the Government in response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and on its borders was divided equally between NGOs and international agencies. The extent of this package reflects the gravity of the current crisis. It brings the total assistance provided for Afghanistan this year to £4 million. The scale of this humanitarian commitment and the support it represents for NGOs in the field are self-evident.
