Billy Timmins
Question:145 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the projected amount of overseas development aid to be allocated in 2009. [5342/09]
View answerThursday, 12 February 2009
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As the Deputy is aware most of Ireland's expenditure on Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) is provided under Vote 29, International Co-operation. The programme is administered by the Development Co-operation Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs, also known as Irish Aid. Further contributions to ODA are made by other Government Departments and through Ireland's allocation to the EU Development Cooperation Budget.
In framing Budget 2009 last October, the Government allocated a total of €891 million for ODA. €754 million was provided under Vote 29 with a further €137 million being contributed by other Government Departments and through the EU Development Cooperation Budget.
Last week the Government took the decision to reduce the total Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget for 2009 from €891 million to €796 million — a saving of €95 million. This decision was taken as part of the determined effort to curb public expenditure in order to establish a platform for the resumption of strong economic growth, which will lead to further expansion of the Government's development programme in years to come. While the final allocation of the €95 million reduction has not yet been decided, it is likely it will have to be largely absorbed by Vote 29.
On current GNP projections for 2009, this revised allocation means Ireland will spend approximately 0.54% of its GNP on ODA. It is also likely that with this level of funding Ireland will maintain its position as the sixth most generous donor per capita in the world.