Bernard J. Durkan
Question:166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the Government's intention to increase levels of support under the multilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26789/02]
Vol. 559 No. 5
166 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is the Government's intention to increase levels of support under the multilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26789/02]
167 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his proposals to increase Ireland's contribution under the bilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26790/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
The allocation to my Department's Vote for international co-operation will amount to €373 million in 2003, representing an increase of €33 million over 2002. This increase will enable us to strengthen further our support across the entire aid programme. Bilateral assistance under Vote 39 will amount to some €301 million in 2003 compared to €272 million this year. Most of this increase will arise under subhead B, the bilateral grant-in-aid, including significant increases in funding for NGOs, while there will also be sizeable increases in our support under subhead C for development programmes administered by missionaries. Multilateral assistance, subheads E and F of Vote 39, will also increase from an estimated €46 million in 2002 to some €50 million next year.
168 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to increase the level of humanitarian aid to the various eligible locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26791/02]
Overseas development assistance is likely to be in the region of €450 million next year, compared to some €420 million in 2002. This increased allocation for next year will be the highest ever allocation in the history of the programme. Emergency and post emergency recovery operations will continue to receive significant funding from within the Ireland Aid budget. Emergency and related funding has been rapidly increasing in recent years and, owing to the current food crisis in Africa, these increases are likely to continue. To date this year, the Government has intervened to provide emergency and rehabilitation assistance on more than 134 occasions in 35 countries throughout Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Central and Latin America and Eastern Europe. In particular, there has been a strong focus on the food security crisis currently devastating southern Africa and the Horn of Africa regions.