Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Irish Aid continues to arrive in designated countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35558/23]
View answerA Better World, Ireland’s policy for international development, provides the framework for our ‘all of government’ development cooperation programme. Rooted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), A Better World focuses our efforts on four policy priorities of gender equality, reducing humanitarian need, climate action and strengthening governance. The focus is on reaching the furthest behind first, through working with governments and communities in some of the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries and those living in conflict settings. We ensure a particular emphasis on protecting women and girls.
Ireland channels its official development assistance (ODA) through multilateral organisations such as the UN, and international financial institutions such as the World Bank, funding to Irish civil society organisations, and bilateral ODA provided through Irish Embassies abroad. The most important basis for decisions on which channel to use, is the ability of a partner to reach those that are furthest behind, in the most timely and effective way possible. Our funding is complemented by Ireland's political and diplomatic engagement.
The Government has provided an allocation of over €1.2 billion for ODA in 2023, the highest ever level, and an 18% increase on last year.
Ireland continues to respond to humanitarian emergencies as they arise. We also continue to support protracted crises when they are not necessarily headline news. Last month the Tánaiste announced an additional €20 million for Syria to provide food, medicine and shelter for people who continue to suffer the consequences of war. We also announced an additional contribution of €8.5 million to deliver humanitarian support to people in Sudan, as well as Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries, through bodies including the UN, International Red Cross and Irish NGOs
Each year the Department of Foreign Affairs reports to the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) 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 global locations in which ODA is directed to. The Irish Aid annual reports are available publicly on the internet.
Ireland's development programme has a strong global reputation and underpinning Irish Aid’s work is a 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 was 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.
