Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
44. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the budget for overseas development assistance in 2022, and the expected amount in 2023; the proportion of GNI that has been committed; if he will provide a breakdown of the various programmes under which ODA is spent; the amount assigned to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34642/23]
View answerFor 2022, the Government provided a total allocation for Official Development Assistance (ODA) of €1.045 billion. This was the first year the allocation exceeded €1 billion. The actual outturn for 2022 has been calculated for submission in the coming weeks to the OECD, which monitors levels of ODA internationally. It shows the exceptional impact of ODA-eligible costs of services for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland in their first year, resulting in an overall ODA level of €2.33 billion, representing 0.64% of GNP. Excluding costs related to hosting Ukrainian refugees, 2022 ODA was €1.446 billion, or 0.40% of GNP. None of the costs associated with the reception of Ukrainian refugees were sourced from the Government's original ODA allocation for 2022, and this will also be the situation in 2023.
For 2023, the Government has provided a gross allocation to ODA of over €1.233 billion, which is the ninth consecutive year in which the allocation for ODA has increased. It includes €716 million for the Irish Aid programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs as well as ODA contributions from other Government Departments and Ireland's share of the EU Development cooperation budget.
Each year the Department of Foreign Affairs reports to the OECD Development Assistance Committee on overall expenditure on ODA against a set of internationally agreed statistical standards. This analysis informs the annual Irish Aid report which includes details of the the various programmes under which ODA is spent. The Irish Aid annual reports are available publicly on the internet (Where the Money Goes - Department of Foreign Affairs (irishaid.ie)).
Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation and a strong commitment to quality. The 2020 OECD Peer Review of Ireland's development cooperation found Ireland to be a strong voice for sustainable development which invests in strong partnerships with civil society and is effective in addressing fragility. Also in 2020, the international think-tank ODI found Ireland to be the most principled donor country in allocating overseas development.
