Bernard Allen
Ceist:28 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department's Estimate layout will provide a specific budget line for non-governmental organisations. [8322/00]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:41 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that a sufficient level of overseas aid is channelled through voluntary bodies and non-governmental organisations; and the proposals, if any, he has to increase the amount. [8290/00]
Liz McManus
Ceist:43 Ms McManus asked the Minister for For Affairs Affairs if he has considered the request from some development organisations that Irish non-governmental organisations should have their own budget line in ODA allocations; his response to the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8465/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 41, and 43 together.
Since it was established in 1974, Ireland Aid has had a long history of working in partnership with Irish NGOs and missionary orders. It has recognised that NGOs, most of which are in operation a number of decades, and our missionary orders have a strong tradition of working with the poorest people in developing countries. NGOs are therefore one valuable means of channelling aid for poverty reduction, which is the primary focus of the Ireland Aid programme.
The partnership between Ireland Aid and NGOs is intended to benefit both the NGOs, through financial support, and the bilateral aid programme, through the experience and local contacts of NGOs. The partnership recognises the close contacts which many NGOs have with local communities and the potential this creates for reaching the poor and building their capacity to determine the course of their own development.
Funding to NGOs is available under a number of different schemes. These include the NGO co-financing scheme, the human rights and democratisation scheme and the emergency relief and rehabilitation assistance scheme. Funding to NGOs has increased in recent years from £3.4 million, 8.4% of total aid, in 1992 to £20.7 million, 15% of total aid, in 1998. The figures for 1999 will be available shortly. However, in the context of an expanding aid budget, there is room for improvement on the proportion of ODA channelled through NGOs.
The number of NGOs receiving funding from Ireland Aid continues to rise. In 1998, for example, under the NGO co-financing scheme alone, around 350 NGOs received funding for their development activities. This figure includes over 90 Irish NGOs and missionary orders active in developing countries.
Five of the largest Irish NGOs – Concern, Trócaire, GOAL, Self Help Development International and Christian Aid – receive an annual block grant from Ireland Aid for longer term development projects. My Department is currently in discussion with these NGOs concerning putting these funding arrangements on a multi-annual basis, which would facilitate them in better planning of development activities and provide greater assurance regarding funding. It would also help these NGOs strengthen their relationships with local partners. Existing block grant provisions are being reviewed to take account of any additional criteria, including reporting, monitoring and evaluation, which may be necessary in a multi-annual context. Decisions on increases in development funding should also reflect issues such as capacity, the proportion of its overall funding which a particular NGO devotes to development, and the strategic focus of individual organisations and programmes.
Some NGOs have raised the possibility of a specific NGO budget line. Minister of State O'Donnell is favourably disposed towards such a proposal, and is considering this and other matters in the context of a current review of the expanding aid programme. Proposals will shortly be brought to Cabinet in this regard.