Written Answers. - European Development Fund.
Róisín Shortall
Question:
93
Ms Shortall
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the amount of money pledged to the EU for development which remains unallocated; the current Irish contribution; the efforts he has made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[14771/03]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the European Development Fund moneys.
According to the most recent information provided by the European Commission, as of the end of 2002, €32.8 billion had been made available to African, Caribbean and Pacific States in the sixth, 1985-90, seventh, 1990-5, and eighth, 1995-2000 EDFs. Of this €29.9 billion had already been used in financing decisions, leaving €2.9 billion still to be committed. With regard to the bulk of the €2.9 billion still to be committed, €1.7 billion is for country or regional programmes of which 40%, or €680 million, is allocated to countries in crisis where aid cannot be implemented in current circumstances.
Of the total €29.9 billion already committed, a total of €21.5 billion has been spent. Payments totalling €8.4 billion, which have been committed having been approved already by financing decisions, remain unspent and have still to be made to complete projects. Total unspent resources amount to €11.3 billion. This sum includes the €8.4 billion in firm commitments but still unspent mentioned earlier together with the further sum of €2.9 billion which has still to be committed. According to the Commission, annual payment levels are now significantly higher than the average for 1995-9.
Forecasts of future commitments and payments are being prepared in the light of the outcome of seminars conducted by the Commission in the various ACP regions in February-March. Based on the experience of the recently enhanced process of decentralisation by the Commission to its offices in the field, it would appear that the third wave of decentralisation, effective in early 2004, will lead to a major improvement in the performance of the EDF. To commit the funds available under the current 9th EDF within five years to 2007 will necessitate a significant increase in commitments already made in 2003, compared with 2002. The Commission has taken measures to strengthen the ACP Directorate of EuropeAid, the Commission's agency responsible for aid delivery.
Ireland's contribution to the 9th EDF in 2003 is €14,260,000. Under the terms of the current contribution key this represents 0.62% of total contributions.
I have been concerned about the volume of committed but unspent funds. On 20 May at the General Affairs and External Relations Council Ireland indicated strong support for a UK paper on a proposed action plan for reform of EC external assistance, submitted at the ECOFIN Council, especially the focus on poverty reduction and the need for activity based budgeting. While reform is progressing it needs to go further and deeper, including the ongoing reforms toward decentralisation.
Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 17.
