Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Michael Ring

Question:

189 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is an assurance that the Government will reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP in 2007; the way in which the figure of ?100 million was arrived at when announcing that the Ireland Aid Programme in 2002 incorporates an increase of ?100 million over the 2001 budget; if this includes the temporary emergency relief fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18862/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

190 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reconsider the decision to cut Irish foreign aid by ?32 million. [18863/02]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 and 190 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in September 2000 to achieve by 2007 the UN target of 0.7% of GNP. The programme for Government makes clear that "we will complete our major expansion of our overseas development aid programme, achieving the UN target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007". At the recent World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, the Taoiseach reconfirmed the Government's clear commitment to this objective.

Due to current economic circumstances, the size of the budget increase for the Ireland Aid programme this year will be €32 million less than originally envisaged. The revised allocation is €340 million, which represents an increase of €100 million over the 2001 allocation of €240 million. This increase is the largest single annual increase in the history of the programme.

The allocations mentioned for both years include support for rehabilitation assistance under subhead B of Vote 39 as well as funding for emergency humanitarian assistance under subhead D of the Vote.