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Overseas Development Aid Oversight

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Questions (68, 69, 78)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which his Department continues to compare the effectiveness of bilateral and general aid in developing countries with particular reference to the strength of administration in the recipient countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8584/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the practice of aid for trade has become obvious throughout Africa; if specific countries appear particularly vulnerable in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8585/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure that international aid goes directly to those for whom it was intended; that administrative costs are kept to a minimum; and that issues relating to misspent or unaccounted for aid are adequately addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8594/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 69 and 78 together.

As Minister of State with responsibility for Ireland’s Official Development Assistance, I am very conscious of the need to have a high level of assurance that our development assistance is effective, reaches its intended beneficiaries and makes a real difference in the lives of the world’s poorest people.

Programmes in receipt of Irish Aid funding are subject to regular internal and external monitoring to ensure that our support is reaching its intended beneficiaries and that the planned objectives and goals of the Irish Aid programme are being achieved. All proposals for funding are rigorously appraised by Irish Aid staff using clear criteria, including quality of intended impact, sustainability, cost effectiveness and efficiency in the use of all resources, including administration costs. The programmes are subject to regular internal and external monitoring and are evaluated and audited by independent experts, as well as by my Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit.

To ensure that our assistance is targeted at those most in need and delivered in the most effective manner we work through a variety of bilateral and other aid delivery channels in partnership with national Governments, local communities, NGOs, and key multilateral partners such as the United Nations. Each of these partners is fully accountable to my Department for all funds received, including those spent on eligible administration costs.

In line with best practice and with recommendations from the OECD for improving the accountability of all development financing, Ireland strongly supports the strengthening of partner country capacity and delivery systems. We provide assistance to national Government oversight institutions, such as the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Public Accounts Committees of national Parliaments, to ensure Governments are held to account for the effective expenditure of public funds, including overseas development assistance. Our management and oversight systems are continually under review to ensure that Irish development funding goes to those most in need, and that we meet the highest standards of accountability.

Providing quality assistance is also about ensuring that we use our aid to strengthen country capacity to deliver sustainable social and economic development. Poverty in many countries is extensive and we know that development assistance alone cannot address all needs. To achieve a sustainable solution to poverty, countries need to generate their own revenues through increased economic activity based on equitable economic growth, improved employment and better trading opportunities.

The approach of leveraging aid for trade is recognised as an effective component of international development. It is a strategy that is increasingly valued by countries throughout Africa and is a feature of our work across all of our Embassies in Africa.

Ireland’s Policy for International Development One World, One Future recognises the importance of trade for increasing the returns to productive enterprise in developing countries. This is in line with our Africa Strategy which sets out a comprehensive framework for Ireland’s economic, political and development relations with African countries over the coming years and includes strengthened trade, investment, and people-to-people links.

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