Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 7 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 5

Written Answers. - Official Development Assistance.

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

17 Mr. Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that there will be an increase in Ireland's official development assistance in the forthcoming budget; and if he will confirm that it is his intention to continue to work towards the UN target of 0.7 per cent GNP. [18309/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The Estimates for 1996 have not been published yet but I am confident that there will be a further increase in the 1996 funding for official development assistance.

Over the last three years there have been major increases in ODA funding; a total of £75.2 million was spent on ODA in 1994 compared with £54.7 million in 1993. This year's expenditure is likely to amount to around £89 million which will be 0.27 per cent of GNP. This means that the level of Government spending on ODA has increased by £49 million in the three years since 1992 and, as I have already said, a further increase is planned for 1996.

The programme for renewal has reaffirmed the commitment to increase Ireland's official development assistance significantly so as to make steady progress towards achieving the UN goal of 0.7 per cent of GNP. By 1997 we should be on a par with most of our EU partners. Like other Members of the House, I would wish to proceed thereafter as rapidly as possible towards achieving the UN goal of 0.7 per cent of GNP.