Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
95 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the allocation for overseas development aid in his Department’s Estimates for 2004; 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 that will be met in 2004 and in each successive year up to 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9907/04]
View answer139 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his intentions to increase as previously indicated Ireland’s contribution to overseas development aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10293/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 139 together.
The Government continues to have as an objective the achievement of the overseas development aid target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007. Despite the many pressures on the public finances at present, an allocation of €400 million has been made in the 2004 Estimates to my Department's Vote for international co-operation. In addition, elements of overseas development aid, ODA, which are administered by other Departments are expected to total some €80 million this year. Total spending on ODA, therefore, is expected to approach €480 million in 2004, the highest in the history of the programme. This level of expenditure demonstrates the strong commitment of the Government to the attainment of the UN target.
In 2001 and 2002, our aid expenditure amounted to 0.33% and 0.41% of GNP respectively. Provisional figures indicate that we maintained the percentage at 0.41% in 2003. This year it is likely to reach the same level or possibly exceed it. In percentage terms, Ireland is one of the world's leading donors, currently standing in seventh place, well ahead of the European Union 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 budgetary circumstances improve, we hope that renewed momentum towards the UN target will be possible.
