Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 1

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Joan Burton

Question:

13 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation for ODA in his Department's estimates for 2004; if it remains the Government's commitment to meet the target for ODA of 0.7% of GNP by 2007; the proportion of that target that will be met in 2004 and in each successive year up to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30479/03]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

20 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the OECD that Ireland is faltering in its progress towards meeting the UN target for ODA by 2007; his views on the concerns raised by the OECD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30480/03]

Eamon Ryan

Question:

33 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will achieve the goal of 0.7% of GNP to overseas development aid by 2007 in view of the fact that the Estimates have barely raised the contribution above 0.41% for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30507/03]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

88 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on OECD concerns that Ireland will fail to reach UN targets for overseas aid spending by 2007; if it will be possible to meet these targets in view of the fact that the 2004 allocation is stalled at 0.41% of GNP. [30410/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Kitt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 20, 33 and 88 together.

The Government continues to have as an objective the achievement of the ODA target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007. Every effort is being made to provide the resources needed to work towards that target. Despite the many pressures on the public finances at present, an allocation of €399 million is to be made in 2004 to my Department's Vote for international co-operation. In addition, elements of ODA which are administered by other Departments are expected to total some €80 million next year. Total spending on ODA, therefore, is expected to approach €480 million in 2004, the highest ever in the history of the programme. This level of expenditure in difficult budgetary circumstances demonstrates the profound commitment of the Government to the attainment of the UN target.

In 2001 our aid expenditure amounted to 0.33% of GNP. The 2003 figure is likely to reach 0.41%. The 2004 figure is likely to reach the same level or possibly exceed it. In percentage terms, Ireland will remain one of the world's leading donors at seventh place and well ahead of the EU average. The Government hopes that increased allocations, the scale and timing of which will be considered on an ongoing basis, will be possible over the coming years with a view to the achievement of our objective.

As the Deputies will be aware, our development co-operation programme has received a strongly favourable review from the 21 other countries that are members of the OECD's development assistance committee. The review acknowledges that Ireland's ODA has risen dramatically over the last decade but notes that the slowdown in the economy has led to a slower pace of growth in the development programme.

Unlike other member states faced with similar difficulties in the past, Ireland has not reduced its ODA contribution as a percentage of GNP. As budgetary circumstances improve, we hope that renewed momentum towards the UN target will be possible.