The first priority of official development assistance is to provide assistance to poorer developing countries. This assistance is designed to meet basic needs and to contribute to long-term economic and social development. There is also an emphasis that the assistance provided is both targeted and cost-effective.
Irish aid projects are subjected to regular reviews and evaluation from sectoral experts within the Development Co-operation Division. They are also subject to the scrutiny of Dáil Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and the ODA sub-committee of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and to review by international bodies such as the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD. Agencies in receipt of public moneys for emergency assistance and from the NGO co-financing scheme are required to produce reports on how the moneys are spent.
I am satisfied that the Irish aid programme is producing good results. It is also my concern to ensure that the money spent both bilaterally and multilaterally reaches its targets and is used in the most effective way possible.