asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance from the 1978 bilateral and programme that has been allocated for expenditure through private firms or organisations, exclusive of any funds carried over from 1977.
451.
Written Answers. - Bilateral Aid.
450.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs (a) how much of the bilateral aid fund allocated in 1977 for spending through privately owned firms or organisations had been spent or called up by the 31 December 1977; and (b) how much, if any, of the amount not spent or called up in 1977 was carried over for expenditure during 1978.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 450 and 451 together.
Bilateral aid is intended to assist developing countries and is not allocated to private firms as such. These organisations as well as others in the different sectors of the economy are engaged as contractors to execute projects within the Bilateral Aid Programme.
In 1977, £278,125 was allocated to projects involving private firms. Of this sum £10,125 was spent in 1977 and £268,000 was carried forward for expenditure in 1978.
I estimate that in 1978 projects involving private firms will account for a further expenditure of approximately £329,000.