Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Emmet Stagg
Ceist:
71
Mr. Stagg
asked the
Minister for Foreign Affairs
the proportion of the aid budget directed to the poorest countries which is actually reaching its intended beneficiaries; if any attempt has been made to estimate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[27521/00]
I am happy to have the opportunity to state once again that the overarching goal of the Government's programme of development co-operation is to reduce poverty in developing countries. All our efforts and resources are directed towards this objective utilising a number of instruments. These include direct assistance for the provision of basic needs; measures to promote economic growth, good governance and the protection of human rights; the provision of emergency, humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance, institution and human capacity building; and international advocacy for policies designed to help free poor countries and populations from poverty traps such as unsustainable indebtedness and restrictions on trade.
This mix of activities responds to the diverse needs of developing countries.
Our programme is delivered through a number of channels, directly via our bilateral co-operation, through multilateral organisations such as the EU, World Bank, UN and through partner NGOs and other partner organisations for smaller programmes and emergency responses.
There are many examples of direct poverty related programmes and actions which Ireland Aid undertakes that directly address the poorest of the poor. Within our priority country programmes we concentrate on the very poorest areas and the programmes are specifically poverty focused and are designed in close consultation with the poor, using techniques such as participatory rural appraisal and evaluation. For example, when we invest in road infrastructure we realise that the benefits could be long-term. We therefore encourage labour based methods to ensure short-term benefits flow through local communities in the form of wages. I would encourage interested Deputies to visit some of the priority countries for themselves to see the Ireland Aid programmes on the ground.
Addressing poverty means more than just attempting to ease the worst symptoms of poverty such as poor health and illiteracy. To address poverty at its core in the developing world goes far beyond the building of schools, provision of wells and many other laudable and important basic needs activities. If these interventions do not take place within an enabling environment they will be unsustainable in the medium to long term. We will find ourselves back at square one and wonder where we went wrong.
Addressing poverty means tackling its structural nature and working with community, local and national authorities to put in place policies which will promote economic growth, build local capacity, reform social service delivery and most importantly enable the peoples of the poorest countries to break through the structural poverty which has enslaved them for so long. I believe that development co-operation is a structural intervention to support self-sustaining development within poor countries. Local ownership of development activities at every level is absolutely essential for success as is the forging of real partnerships to drive the development process forward. I do not pretend that this process is easy and that the results will be quickly discernible. Working in real partnership takes time and effort. Progress can be slow and the results, while positive, are not as easily measured as physical outputs such as the building of schools. This holistic approach is essential if we are to help developing countries break the cycle of poverty and the Irish programme, I can assure Deputies, is fully committed to that end.
It is interesting to note that one of the priority countries for Irish development co-operation, namely Uganda, has in just five years reduced the number of core poor from 55% to 44% by a sustained strategy of poverty reduction pursued by the Government of Uganda with the support of donors. This has been achieved by a very focused approach to poverty reduction, with close attention to outputs and accountability. Uganda is still one of the poorest countries in the world and has many difficult issues to address, but it is an indication of what can be achieved if the will and resources are present and if poverty is addressed in a comprehensive manner.
The central importance of poverty to the Irish Government's programme of development co-operation has been recognised by our peers in the OECD. While I do not believe we have cornered the market in poverty reduction, it is gratifying to see that its central importance to our programme has been endorsed during the course of the rigorous review of our programme by the OECD last year. The review found that Ireland sets high standards for aid, demonstrates that aid can work, has an undeviating focus on poverty reduction and is a strong performer in putting partnerships into practice.
I should mention that a rigorous system of evaluation is in place and my Department has its own audit and evaluation unit. In addition regular external reviews and audits take place to ensure value for money and that programmes and projects are performing to expectations and that funds are reaching the beneficiaries. As the programme grows I expect this function to grow in importance. It is essential that public moneys for the developing world are used in a way that promotes sustainable development and utilises best practice and is fully accountable by all parties to the process.
As I said, all of our development assistance is designed to address the problems of the poor and to reach the poor both directly and indirectly. I believe it is doing so. A very detailed and specific breakdown of all expenditures in all categories under the aid programme is available in the Ireland Aid annual report which has been lodged in the Library. A copy of the OECD review is also available in the Library.
