Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Written Answers - Overseas Development Aid.

Eamon Ryan

Question:

159 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the Earth summit in Johannesburg in the Autumn of 2002, the general strategy by which the Government hopes to achieve the targeted percentage allocation of gross national income on overseas development assistance by 2007; if the Government still intends to implement the agreement reached in 2000 on a gradual increase of percentage contribution; and if increases in the percentage will now be put back closer to 2007. [6294/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

At the Earth summit in Johannesburg in 2002 the Taoiseach re-iterated Irelands commitment to achieving, by 2007, the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNP on overseas development assistance. Total ODA increased from €320 million (0.33% of GNI) in 2001 to some €420 million (0.41% of GNI) in 2002. A further increase was provided for in 2003 bringing the total allocation for ODA to an expected €450 million, the highest ever allocation in the history of the programme. Current indications are that we will again reach 0.41% of GNI in 2003. Maintaining our contribution as a proportion of GNI in these difficult times is a measure of the Government's clear commitment to the aid programme and to achieving the UN target of 0.7%.

The scale and timing of future increases in funding required to achieve the UN target will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.