Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 March 2021
446. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress being made on the implantation of Ireland’s Better World strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/21]
View answerA Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development was launched in February 2019. It provides the framework for Ireland’s development cooperation in the decade ahead and represents a step change in our approach, bringing together our development cooperation and diplomacy for optimum impact. In the two years since the policy was launched, there has been notable progress in delivering and advancing various aspects of A Better World including on strategy development, policy influence, whole of government initiatives, and new programme funding commitments, the latter facilitated by a €30 million increase in the allocation for Official Development Aid for this year. Clear deliverables achieved include the publication of Ireland’s first ever Small Island Developing States (SIDS) strategy; the launch of the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security; the creation of an Irish Trust Fund in the Asian Development Bank for support to disaster and climate resilience in member SIDS; and the launch of a Domestic Resource Mobilisation Initiative, in partnership with the Department of Finance and Revenue Commissioners.
A new Climate Unit has been established within the Development Cooperation and Africa Division of my Department - the Division which leads on the Irish Aid programme. This Unit is taking forward the Programme for Government commitment to double the proportion of Official Development Aid which tackles climate change. Last week I launched Ireland's Climate Finance Report for 2019, which set the baseline for that commitment.
While COVID-19 rolls back development gains around the world, the Irish Aid programme has proved its self well positioned to respond. Through country programmes in Africa, Ireland is supporting the strengthening of public health systems, amplified by Irish Aid's investment this year of €50 million in global public health, including COVAX which will see vaccines distributed to 90 lower and middle income countries. Ireland is also a member of the Team Europe response to the pandemic - the EU and its Member States are already supporting the vaccination of 20% of the world's population through COVAX, and this is likely to grow. My Department works closely with the HSE in its work on global health, including in the provision of mental health support to frontline workers in COVID-affected partner countries.
With approximately 35% of Official Development Aid generated by other Departments, coordination across Government has been strengthened over the past two years. In addition, the capacity to manage programmes, particularly in key thematic areas such as climate, food and health, as well as oversight, is being strengthened, building from a strong base as identified by the OECD's review of Irish Aid published last year.
Work is ongoing to increase investment in research, and improve our public engagement. In this regard, I am currently engaged in a public consultation towards a new strategy on development education, for finalisation this summer.
Taken together these steps will ensure that Irish Aid is fit for purpose as we implement A Better World over the next decade.
