Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 December 2013
34. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount that has been spent in overseas aid for each of the past five years; if he will provide a breakdown of the money spent in each country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51341/13]
View answerThis Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s aid programme and to its place at the heart of Ireland’s foreign policy. The programme reflects the generosity and values of the Irish people and is a concrete expression of our determination to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Our new policy for International Development “One World, One Future” published earlier this year, sets out our vision for a sustainable and just world. It maintains our sharp focus on poverty reduction and hunger eradication though providing much needed assistance and support to some of the world’s poorest countries and communities, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. Our aid remains untied. The policy also seeks to develop stronger, mutually beneficial, economic and trading interests between Ireland and developing countries – building future markets for Ireland’s good and services as those economies grow and expand .
Over the five year period 2009 – 2013, Ireland has contributed in excess of €3.3 billion to Official Development Assistance (ODA). Of this total, approximately 80% was administered by my Department through Vote 27 International Cooperation, while the remainder was made up of ODA eligible contributions from other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget. A summary of total ODA for each of the past 5 years is provided below.
|
- |
Total ODA € millions |
|
2013 |
622.08 |
|
2012 |
628.90 |
|
2011 |
657.04 |
|
2010 |
675.83 |
|
2009 |
722.20 |
|
€3,306.05 |
The statistical annexes to the Irish Aid Annual Report provide a detailed analysis of Ireland’s ODA, across a range of metrics including an analysis by recipient country. The most recent data published relates to ODA for 2012 and is available on the Irish Aid website at www.irishaid.ie. Detailed statistical analysis of Ireland’s ODA for 2013 will be complied early in the New Year and will be subsequently published on the Irish Aid web site.
