In Budget 2024, the Government provided the highest ever allocation for the international development programme managed, under Vote 27, by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The allocation of €776.5 million represents an increase of €60 million, or 8.4%, on the 2023 allocation.
€30 million of the additional funding will be allocated to climate finance, which, in conjunction with additional funding from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications, will help ensure that Ireland meets our commitment to provide a total of €225 million in climate finance annually by 2025. A further €30 million is allocated for programmes in support of Ukraine and to address food security and malnutrition globally, as well as rising humanitarian need.
Based on current estimates, total Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2024 will amount to some €2 billion, including allocations to other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Cooperation Budget.
Spending by other Government Departments also includes significant support for domestic refugee costs which is channelled through various departments including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Health, and the Department of Education.
It also includes Ireland's share of ODA disbursed from the EU Budget by EU Institutions. This is an element of Ireland's general contribution to the EU Budget, and is managed by the Department of Finance. The most recent forecast from the European Commission, issued in October, foresees €14.982 billion in ODA disbursement from the EU Budget in 2024. Ireland's share of this will likely be around 2.43% to 2.45% or €365-€367 million.
The work on the allocation of the €776.5 million of ODA allocated to Vote 27 across the full range of programmes and activities supported by the Department is ongoing, and will approved by the end of the year.
