Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 2003

Vol. 562 No. 4

Written Answers - Overseas Development Aid.

Paul McGrath

Question:

217 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department, when deciding the allocation to overseas aid, is cognisant of the Government expenditure on refugee and asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

Expenditure relating to refugee and asylum seekers comes under Vote 19 which is administered by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. My Department is responsible for Vote 38 – Foreign Affairs – and Vote 39 – International Co-operation.

Prior to 2001, funding for the Refugee Agency, which was then under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs, was provided under Subhead F of my Department's Vote 39. In 2001, the Refugee Agency was incorporated into the Reception and Integration Agency at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and funding for its programmes transferred to that Department's Vote.

A wide range of factors is taken into account when allocating funds within the overall aid budget. These factors include the importance of policy coherence internally within the programme, with other aspects of Irish foreign policy, with other Government policies and with other donors and multilateral organisations. In this regard, my Department is cognisant of wider Government policy and spending on refugees and asylum seekers.

A significant portion of the overseas aid budget is directed under various headings at refugees. Within my Department's Vote 39, some €7.0 million will be allocated in 2003 to support the programmes of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. A further €35 million is being allocated in 2003 to the emergency humanitarian assistance fund and for a programme of rehabilitation/recovery assistance. Spending under these headings is directed both at emergencies which develop suddenly, such as the volcano in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002 or other natural disasters, and at longer term situations of conflict, such as Afghanistan, or famine and drought, such as southern Africa and the Horn of Africa at present. Support of this nature assists refugees affected by such crises, as well as those who might otherwise become refugees.

Paul McGrath

Question:

218 Mr. P. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation to overseas aid for 2003; and if he will compare this figure with the corresponding moneys for each of the past five years. [6512/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Government's national programme of assistance to developing countries comprises two elements. The major component is my Department's Vote for International Co-operation, €374 million in 2003, while elements of official development assistance, ODA – expected to total some €80 million in 2003 – are administered by other Departments.

Total ODA has increased dramatically in recent years, rising from €177 million in 1998 to an expected €450 million in 2003. Figures for the last five years – the amounts for 2002 are provisional – are set out in the following table.

Year	Total ODA (€m)	Of which, allocated under Vote 39 (€m)
1998	177.3	117.1
1999	230.3	147.8
2000	254.9	172.7
2001	320.1	235.8
2002	420.0	340.0