Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:119 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the support provided by Ireland to combat AIDS-HIV in sub Saharan Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28371/00]
Written Answers. - Ireland Aid.
The Minister of State for Ireland Aid recently announced an allocation of £4 million by Ireland Aid for HIV-AIDS programmes. We have also increased our contribution to UNAIDS from £75,000 in 1999 to £250,000 in 2000. The projects to be funded include initiatives in Zimbabwe, Lesotho and for research into a new HIV-AIDS vaccine. In the context of the Government's decision to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP on ODA by 2007, we are also looking at the possibilities for a greater financial involvement by Ireland Aid in the current international and national initiatives against communicable diseases, particularly HIV-AIDS. This issue will be an important element to be considered in the forthcoming review of the aid programme which will inter alia examine priorities for future spending in our greatly expanded aid programme.