The EU is collectively the biggest donor in the world. Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the EU and its Member States reached €75.5 billion in 2016, an 11% increase compared to 2015 levels and bringing it to the highest level to date. This increase took place in a context of worsening man-made and natural disasters, an unprecedented migration crisis in Europe, and a global refugee crisis of historic proportions, with the number of refugees and displaced people reaching 65 million world-wide - the largest number since World War II. These factors led to an increase in EU aid in order to respond to humanitarian disasters, to support refugees and to help developing countries to overcome poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2016, ODA provided through EU institutions, managed by the European Commission, amounted to US$ 15.7 billion, an increase of 14.3% over 2015. More than half of this was programmed with partner countries. Bilateral ODA from the European Commission focused primarily on Eastern Europe (30%) and Sub Saharan Africa (27%), with the Middle East and North Africa being allocated 15%, South and Central Asia 8%, Latin America and the Caribbean 7%, and other countries in Asia and Oceania 3%.
Ireland believes that this development assistance is delivering strong results. For example, because of assistance provided to developing countries by the EU Commission in 2015, over 400,000 people benefitted from programmes to support post-conflict peace building; 5 million women and children under 5 benefitted from nutrition-related programmes, helping to reduce child mortality; 2,600 KM of electricity transmission/distribution lines were built or upgraded; 10.6 million children were enrolled in primary education and 7.6 million in secondary education; over 8 million births were attended by skilled health personnel, helping to reduce maternal mortality; 4 million hectares of protected areas were managed to ensure biological diversity and to preserve natural heritage, and; 10,000 firms gained access to credit to boost investment and avoid risk.
Ireland’s share of the EU development cooperation budget is assessed by the European Commission on an annual basis, and is calculated by attributing our percentage share of the overall EU budget as a Member State to the total EU expenditure on ODA. An increase in the size of Ireland’s economy and thus our contribution to the EU generally therefore results in an increase in our assessed contributions. This in turn helps to fund the EU Development Cooperation Instrument, Humanitarian Aid, and the European Development Fund (EDF). In addition, Ireland also supports a number of specific EU Trust Funds, such as that on Africa.
In 2016, Ireland’s total contribution to EU-managed ODA amounted to €182.26 million. Almost €9.13 billion in ODA expenditure was allocated from the EU’s general budget, of which Ireland’s determined share was 1.613%, or €147.25 million. This is a marked increase on the 2015 figures which show ODA eligible expenditure at €7.41 billion and Ireland’s share at 1.28%, or €94.55 million. Meanwhile, Ireland’s contribution to the European Development Fund in 2016 was €32.76 million. Assessed contributions from Ireland to the EU will continue to rise in 2018, and though we do not know yet what the final figures will be we are expecting another increase.
EU development assistance is subject to various forms of rigorous monitoring and evaluation by a number of different and separate bodies: the European Court of Auditors; the EU’s Results-Oriented Monitoring (ROM) system, an external, independent review system; the EU’s Evaluation Unit; the European Parliament, and; contributing Member States, including Ireland.
Ireland plays a full and active part in overseeing EU development assistance, and ensuring that there is effective oversight, accountability, and transparency. In addition, Ireland is a member of the European Development Fund Management Committee which manages this component. Reporting on this, and the other aspects of our official development assistance programme, Irish Aid, will continue to be done to the Oireachtas primarily through the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Public Accounts Committee. In addition, my officials are currently engaging with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade with regards to EU development financing.
In Europe, Ireland engages actively at the political and official levels in discussions with our EU partners and with the European Commission to ensure that our development policy priorities are reflected in EU programmes – including the targeting of aid to where it is needed most, and the tackling of problems at the root cause. Earlier this year Member States agreed a revised EU Consensus on Development which ensures that EU development policy is fully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and responding to new global challenges.
Discussions are currently underway between Member States on the successor arrangements to the Cotonou Agreement governing Europe’s relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific states and Ireland is actively involved in these discussions – including through participation in the African Union and European Union Summit in Côte d’Ivoire later this month. We will continue to promote European core values of peace, security, sustainable development, poverty reduction, and human rights worldwide, with the aim of ensuring that no one is left behind.
