Ivor Callely
Question:35 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total allocation of moneys to NGOs in 2001; the monitoring and evaluation which exists of such moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3729/02]
Vol. 548 No. 1
35 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total allocation of moneys to NGOs in 2001; the monitoring and evaluation which exists of such moneys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3729/02]
Non-governmental organisations, NGOs, engaged in development co-operation activities with people in the developing world receive very significant funding from the Government. The principal source of funding is the Government's official development assistance programme, Ireland Aid, which operates a number of schemes for NGOs, including NGO co-financing, rehabilitation assistance, emergency humanitarian assistance, human rights and democratisation. NGOs received approximately €33 million directly from Ireland Aid in 2001. Funding of approximately €7 million was channelled to NGOs through the Agency for Personal Service Overseas for personnel co-funding and training costs and through the national committee for development education for development education activities. Both APSO and the NCDE are funded directly by Ireland Aid. Therefore, in 2001, a provisional total of approximately €40 million was allocated to NGOs. Final out-turns for 2001 are not yet available, but will be published in Ireland Aid's 2001 annual report, which will be available later this year and placed in the Oireachtas Library.
A further source of funds for development NGOs during 2001 was tax deductibility allowed by the Revenue Commissioners on contributions made to such organisations. A number of Irish NGOs are also in receipt of substantial funding from multilateral agencies, such as the UN and the EU, to which the Government contributes from its official development assistance budget. The Deputy will be aware from previous replies to parliamentary questions on this topic that all applications for funding from NGOs, including missionary orders, must conform to a detailed set of criteria and guidelines pertaining to the particular sector being funded. Applicants for funding must demonstrate a capacity to carry out the tasks envisaged as well as a clear and coherent strategy to achieve the aims and objectives of the programme or project. The track record of the applicants in terms of planning, management, monitoring and evaluation is an important consideration when examining proposed projects and programmes. Applications must be carefully costed in advance. Successful applicants are subject to formal contractual arrangements which set out the terms, conditions and reporting requirements.