Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 July 2008
231 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of aid funding allocated to Ethiopia in 2007 and to date in 2008; the way this was dispensed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28266/08]
View answerEthiopia is one of the poorest countries in the world and has been one of Ireland's Programme Countries since 1994. Irish Aid provided almost €41 million to development programmes and projects in Ethiopia in 2007 and it is estimated that assistance amounting to around €45 million will be provided in 2008.
In 2007, assistance to Ethiopia addressed a wide range of basic needs with an emphasis on health, education, food security and governance. For example, approximately €9 million was allocated to a social "safety net" programme designed to ensure that over seven million poor Ethiopians were provided with cash or food in exchange for labour, thus preventing them from becoming absolutely destitute.
Over €7 million was provided to Irish missionaries and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), including Concern, Goal, Self Help Development International and Trócaire, to support their development efforts in Ethiopia. In addition, some €1.2 million was allocated to Concern, Goal and the World Food Programme to provide emergency responses to vulnerable communities, while, almost €7 million was allocated to a capacity building programme designed to reduce poverty in the Tigray region.
We also supported the purchase of essential medicines, the construction and equipping of about 500 health centres and the training of health professionals in Ethiopia. Furthermore, we work with local NGOs in addressing HIV/AIDS. Finally, Ireland contributed to a teacher development programme which provided training to an estimated 250,000 education personnel.
Governance is an important component of our aid programme in Ethiopia and in 2007 over €3.5 million was spent on public and civil service reform, strengthening parliamentary institutions, economic initiatives and support for local NGOs involved in human rights and governance issues.
In 2008, the Irish Aid programme is continuing very much along the same lines and is, in particular, addressing the basic needs of the poor, especially the rural poor.
