asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money made available from Ireland's ODA programme for the following projects in Lesotho for 1977, 1978 and 1979 and the amount to be made available for 1980: (i) Hololo Valley Project, (ii) Basotho Pony Project, (iii) Lesotho Airways Corporation, (iv) Ministry of Public Works, (v) Lesotho Electricity Corporation, (vi) Lesotho National Development Corporation, (vii) the Outworker Hand Knitting Operation, (viii) the Berea Knitwear plant, (ix) the Central Support Services programme, (x) the secondary teachers programme, (xi) the Centre for Accounting Studies, (xii) the Maseru preparatory school and (xiii) the Lesotho distance teaching centre.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bilateral Aid Programme.
57.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the information requested by the Deputy regarding the expenditure from the Bilateral Aid Programme on projects in Lesotho for 1977-1979.
|
Project |
Expenditure to 31 December |
|||
|
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
||
|
(i) |
Hololo Valley Project |
80,600 |
200,279 |
174,251 |
|
(ii) |
Basotho Pony Project |
1,055 |
145,900 |
101,608 |
|
(iii) |
Lesotho Airways Corporation |
— |
1,700 |
12,275 |
|
(iv) |
Ministry of Public Works |
— |
13,208 |
50,891 |
|
(v) |
Lesotho Electricity Corporation |
29,856 |
78,600 |
106,500 |
|
(vi) |
Lesotho National Development Corporation |
— |
20,090 |
84,898 |
|
(vii) |
Outworker Hand Knitting Operation |
— |
3,728 |
45,919 |
|
(viii) |
Berea Knitwear Plant |
40,000 |
33,567 |
33,774 |
|
(ix) |
Central Support Services Programme |
— |
— |
— |
|
(x) |
Secondary Teachers Programme |
— |
— |
64,164 |
|
(xi) |
Centre for Accountancy Studies |
— |
— |
70,096 |
|
(xii) |
Maseru Preparatory School |
— |
— |
4,151 |
|
(xiii) |
Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre |
46,980 |
47,189 |
33,153 |
As the project allocations have not yet been finalised for 1980, I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with this information.
Can I ask a question on that?
It is not usual, but all right.
With regard to Ireland's ODA programme and the projects referred to in the question does the Minister share the concern of some of the agencies involved in this field in view of what the Minister sees as necessary cut-backs but what I see as unacceptable cut-backs in the programme? Is the Minister aware of the statement by Mr. Brian McKeon the director of Trócaire who referred to——
The Deputy asked for permission to ask a question in circumstances where it is not usual to do so and now he is making a statement.
I am asking the Minister if he is familiar with a statement made by the director of Trócaire, a most reputable agency involved in this field, in which he said that what has been done in this year's estimates in relation to the Third World, represents a turning of our backs on people——
Statements are not read at Question Time.
I am sure the Deputy is concerned about this aspect but as I said earlier in response to Deputy Quinn we are by no means at the bottom of the league——
It is a league of shame.
We are only exceeded by very affluent countries like Sweden.
Question No. 58.
The United States of America is not far ahead of us.
The Chair has called question No. 58.
58.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the commitment, formal or informal made to the Lesotho authorities from the Department's ODA programme in relation to Irish aid, and or participation in the following programmes: (i) programmes of the Minister of Interior, (ii) programmes of the Minister of Water, (iii) medical personnel in the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, (iv) sanitation project, (v) rural health clinics, (vi) treasury personnel, (vii) footbridge construction in rural areas; the amount of funds indicated as being available at the time of the commitment for each of these projects and the funds budgeted for 1980 to honour those commitments.
The Bilateral Aid Programme has been developed in the light of the wishes of the recipient countries. Possible areas for co-operation are first of all discussed between officials. While every attempt is made to facilitate the Government seeking assistance, where this is deemed appropriate, it is made clear that it may not be possible for us to respond immediately, for example, because of difficulty in recruiting suitable personnel or because of the costs involved. Before a decision is taken to implement a proposed project a draft budget and timetable are drawn up; but in the course of implementing a project extending over more than a year these are obviously subject to revision in the light of circumstances. It is not our general practice to commit specific total amounts for projects which are to be carried out over a number of years.
It is not proposed that there will be participation under the Bilteral Aid Programme in any of the programmes listed by the Deputy in the current year, although there may be, in some cases, in 1981. I understand however, that a doctor sponsored by APSO has recently left to join the staff of the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Lesotho.
Did I understand the Minister to say in his reply that none of the Government authorities and related bodies in Lesotho were given any commitment in relation to the establishment of these programmes in 1980?
There is no hard and fast commitment of that kind in relation to contracts. It depends on bona fides, goodwill and all that, and that is all the more reason why we should complete our commitments. I assure the House that our commitments will be met whatever cut-backs there may be in planned programmes.
When?
This year.
Subject to budgetary constraints.
Has the Minister received correspondence from the Lesotho Government or related agencies in relation to these programmes asking that some of them might be called in for 1980?
No.
Will the Minister accept that this is one promise that the Government have reneged on? In view of the terrible deprivation that exists in the Third World countries involved and in view of the fact that his predecessor now Minister for Finance made great play of this while in opposition, will the Minister ask the Government to review the position here as a matter of urgency even if some of their pet projects at home have to be put off for a few more months?
I will monitor the situation as it develops and I can assure the House that I share much of the concern that has been expressed here.