Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
70 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has recommitted himself to achieving the 0.7% of GNP target in relation to overseas development aid within the period announced to the UN General Assembly by the Taoiseach in September 2000; his policy on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30091/04]
View answer146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is expected that Ireland overseas development aid will meet the targets set out in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30688/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 146 together.
The Book of Estimates provides for an increase of €60 million in Government spending on official development assistance in 2005. This will bring total Government aid to the developing world next year to €535 million, which is an all-time record. In addition, the Government has agreed to make increases of €65 million in each of the years 2006 and 2007. This means a total €1.8 billion will be spent by Ireland on development assistance over the coming three years. This is a remarkable package of increases by any standards. It places Ireland among the world's leading aid donors.
To put the package in context, the following are the overseas development aid outturn figures for the period since 1998: 1998, €177 million; 1999, €231 million; 2000, €254 million; 2001, €320 million; 2002, €422 million; and 2003, €446 million. These figures compare very favourably with the outturn in the years up to that period: 1995, €123 million; 1996, €142 million; and 1997 €158 million.
Ireland's contribution will be welcomed by all who are concerned about the developing world. I welcome especially the return to a multi-annual commitment. This aspect of the package ensures predictability for my Department and for our non-governmental organisation partners. It provides a sound basis on which to carry out the long-term planning which is so important for development work. The increases come at a time when there are many competing demands on the Exchequer and are an indication of the commitment of the Government to help the poorest people in the world. Overseas development aid has increased steadily over the past seven years and the latest increases ensure continued strong growth towards the UN target.
The additional funding will facilitate the expansion of the development co-operation programme and consideration of new innovative measures. The Government intends to conduct a broad consultative process over the next year, which will lead to the preparation of a White Paper for Government on development co-operation policy by the end of 2005 or early 2006. Other areas where the increased funding will help to make a greater contribution include the fight against the HIV-AIDS pandemic which will continue to be a major item in our programme. Over 40 million people are living with HIV-AIDS worldwide, more than two thirds of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Current spending in this area amounts to approximately €50 million but will increase in 2005. Vietnam will become Ireland's eighth programme country with the opening of a mission and the establishment of a full development programme. The neighbouring countries of Laos and Cambodia will also receive assistance from this programme. A new development office will open shortly in Sierra Leone which will also provide some assistance to Liberia.
Ireland will continue to give priority to our existing programme countries of Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Timor Leste. We provide a significant amount of dedicated funding for non-governmental organisations working in the development field. Support is provided on a multi-annual basis to five such organisations. These are Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Self Help and Christian Aid. In addition, we provide funding to non-governmental organisations in a number of other areas of the programme including emergency, recovery, HIV-AIDS and human rights activities. Total funding to non-governmental organisations is likely to exceed €100 million in 2005.
Irish people have been extraordinarily generous to people in developing countries over the years. Over the next few years, the Government will seek by way of different grant schemes to support this crucially important grassroots activity and encourage further a spirit of volunteerism. We will continue to provide funding in response to emergency humanitarian crises internationally, whether natural disasters or man-made emergencies. With the large increases announced in funding for development co-operation, the Government has demonstrated the profound importance it attaches to this area. We are achieving real impacts with our aid programme and helping to save many lives in Africa and elsewhere. The Government will continue to give the utmost priority to this crucial aspect of our foreign policy.
