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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

206 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details, financial and otherwise, of Irish aid, if any, given to Vietnam in each of the years from 1996 to 1998; the aid, if any, proposed for 1999 in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1818/99]

Although Irish Aid's bilateral assistance is focused on six priority countries in sub-Saharan Africa, some assistance was also provided to Vietnam in the years 1996-98.

In 1996, £40,000 was provided to Oxfam for an ethnic minorities education project in the Muong Khuong and Sa Pa districts in the Lao Cai Province of Vietnam. Goal received £25,000 for a rural development project in Ham-Nimh.

In 1997 Electricity Supply Board International (ESBI) received funding of £240,237 for a rural electrification project in Huyen Hoi Commune, Tra Vinh province, Vietnam. Funding of £16,200 was also provided for a study of consultancy needs in Vietnam carried out, on behalf of Irish Aid, by a private sector consultant.

Funding of £143,848 in 1997 and £131,000 in 1998 was provided to Trócaire towards activities undertaken under the CIDSE (International Cooperation for Solidarity and Development) Programme in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. Under this programme, Trócaire works together with a number of other international NGOs. Activities in Vietnam included agricultural training, health and credit and savings projects. In 1998 £11,528 was provided to Oxfam for a training site for the Ha Tinh blind association in Ha Tinh Province.

Through funds provided by Irish Aid, consultancy projects have been undertaken by Irish consultants in 1996 and 1997, in the agricultural and power sectors in Vietnam, under the Irish General Consultant Trust Fund (CTF) at the World Bank.

For each of the Academic years 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 one Vietnamese student has benefited from a fellowship to participate in the Irish Aid funded Engineering Hydrology programme at the National University of Ireland (Galway). The cost per fellowship was £13,756 in 1996-97 and £14,500 in 1997-98 with a similar approximate cost arising in 1998-99.
There are no proposals at the present time for funding by Irish Aid of projects in Vietnam in 1999.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

209 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in relation to lands, properties, stocks or other valuables disposed by his Department since coming into office, he will outline to whom these were disposed and whether by tender, sale or other means; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2246/99]

The Department of Foreign Affairs has not disposed of any lands or properties in the period referred to. As part of the normal replacement of official vehicles, both at home and abroad, used vehicles are disposed of from time to time. The method used in each case, whether trade-in or private sale, is governed by the need to maximise the sale value of the vehicle and minimise the cost of replacement. Used office equipment can similarly be disposed of. It is not possible, in the time available, to specify the names of buyers.

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