Vol. 563 No. 1
285 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will consider increasing Ireland's overseas development aid at an early date, having due regard to the increasing number of pressing situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7435/03]
291 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which it is intended to increase overseas aid to the various African coun tries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7441/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 291 together.
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 substantially in recent years, from €177 million in 1998 to €420 million in 2002 and this year is expected to reach €450 million. These increases have been pursuant to the Government's commitment to achieving the UN target for ODA of 0.7% of gross national product by the end of 2007.
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. While increased resources will enable us to broaden and deepen our support across all areas of the aid programme, it is anticipated that priority will continue to be given to a small number of least developed countries in sub-Saharan Africa – the programme countries: Ethiopia, Lesotho, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. These are among the poorest countries in the world and receive the largest share of our bilateral assistance.
