Vol. 562 No. 5
148 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it remains the Government's commitment to meet the target for overseas development aid of 0.7% of GNP by 2007; the proportion of that target which will be met in 2003 and in each successive year up to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6445/03]
The Government remains committed to the achievement of the UN target for overseas development aid, ODA, by 2007. This commitment has been confirmed on many previous occasions and is part of the programme for Government.
The 2003 allocation for Vote 39, the Vote for international co-operation which is administered by my Department, is €374 million, an increase of €34 million on the 2002 allocation. When contributions from other Government Departments towards ODA are factored in the total allocation in 2003 is expected to exceed €450 million. At current estimates this is predicted to equate to 0.41% of GNP. The scale and timing of the increases in funding required to achieve the 0.7% target by 2007 will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
