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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

142 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total level of Ireland Aid for each year from 1997 to 2002; the subtotals, in amounts and in percentages for bilateral, multilateral and other expenditure for each year; the GNP for each year; the percentage of GNP represented by Ireland Aid for each year; the projected figures in this regard for the years 2003 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9782/02]

Ireland's official development assistance (ODA) comprises two elements. The major component is my Department's Vote 39 for international co-operation while elements of ODA are also administered by other Departments. Significant increases have been recorded in total ODA in recent years and the figures from 1997 to 2002 are set out in the following table. The table also provides a breakdown between bilateral and multilateral assistance for each year and this is also expressed in percentage terms. In addition, data for GNP and for total ODA as a percentage of GNP are also provided. All data for 2001 are provisional while the figures for 2002 are estimated.

Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) 1997-2002

Year

Bilateral

Multilateral

TotalODA

GNP

ODAas% GNP

€m

%

€m

%

€m

€bn

%

1997

99.8

63.3

57.8

36.7

157.6

51.5

0.31

1998

106.7

60.2

70.6

39.8

177.3

66.3

0.27

1999

132.0

57.3

98.3

42.7

230.3

73.9

0.31

2000

162.3

63.7

92.5

36.3

254.8

86.1

0.30

2001

222.2

68.5

102.2

31.5

324.4

95.8

0.34

2002

334.0

71.7

131.8

28.3

465.8

103.4

0.45

In September 2000 the Government decided that Ireland would reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP for expenditure on ODA by the end of 2007. Achievement of this target will require further annual increases in ODA. Current projec tions suggest that GNP will rise as follows between now and 2007:

Year

GNP (€bn)

2003

111.4

2004

119.2

2005

125.2

2006

131.5

2007

138.0

This suggests that the total ODA budget will amount to almost €1 billion by 2007. In 2003 the Vote 39 allocation will be €441 million and the precise annual increases for the years 2004 – 2007 remain to be determined. The allocation of funds between the bilateral and multilateral headings is determined annually as part of the Estimates process. Decisions on allocations have regard to a wide range of policy issues and are approved by an interdepartmental committee which includes representatives from a range of Departments including the Departments of Finance, Health and Children, and Education and Science.
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