Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
18. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the total funding allocated at EU level for development programmes arising from the recent conclusion of discussions on the Multi-Annual Financial Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8944/13]
View answerOn 8 February the European Council reached an agreement on the EU Budget Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2010. Whilst Ireland could have supported a higher level of overall resources, I believe that the deal reached at the European Council on the MFF is a balanced one which recognises the financial realities facing Member States. As Presidency, Ireland will now take on new responsibilities on gaining the assent of the European Parliament to the Regulation.
The agreement reached will see the overall budget fixed at €960bn. Within that figure, provision for Global Europe (Heading 4), from which development funding is drawn, is to increase by 3.3% (to €58.704bn) as compared to the previous budget.At least 90% of EU overall external assistance over the 2014-2020 period will be counted as official development assistance.
The European Council also agreed to increase the European Development Fund by 0.6% (to €26.984 billion) and to raise the maximum annual amount of the Emergency Aid Reserve by 15.5% (to €280 million), both outside the MFF structure. So overall, each instrument used to support development will increase under the new budget.
In the MFF negotiations, Ireland sought to ensure that a fair proportion of the EU budget would be allocated to development assistance. The decision to increase EU funding for external relations is a positive outcome, particularly in the context of the economic constraints across the EU, and demonstrates the commitment of the EU and the Member States to continue playing a leadership role, to engage effectively when humanitarian crises emerge and to target extreme poverty and hunger.
The agreement reached on 8 February ensures that the EU and its Member States will collectively remain the largest provider of development assistance in the world, providing over 55% of global ODA.
