Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2018
75. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason, in the context of an organisation (details supplied) acting under contract as an agent of Irish Aid, missionary organisations have not yet received their approved grants for 2018 to support their development and humanitarian projects in Africa, South America and Asia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42738/18]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my replies to Question 122 of Tuesday 18 September 2018 and Question 113 of Wednesday 26 September 2018 in connection with the distribution of approved grants for NGO’s.
Irish Aid currently has a three-year Strategic Partnership agreement with the organisation in question, covering the period 2017-2019. The organisation in question receives one of the highest Irish Aid grants to a civil society organisation.
In 2018, a total grant of €15.5 million was approved for the organisation in question, with the first tranche of €10 million disbursed on 19 September following submission of results information which was contractually required. This is in line with the relevant circular of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on grant management. The second tranche, comprising the balance of €5.5 million for 2018, will be transferred in the coming weeks.
Grant assistance and disbursement by the organisation referred to other bodies is solely a matter for that organisation itself to manage and oversee, against the criteria set in the three-year Strategic Partnership agreement. This should include having due regard to applicants corporate governance, performance criteria and results reporting.
