Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 22 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 5

Written Answers. - Bilateral Aid Programme.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

94 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which moneys have been expended under the bilateral aid programme in 2001; if he proposes to enhance or increase the moneys available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29427/01]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government decided in September 2000 to move progressively to the UN target for overseas development of 0.7% of GNP. The intention is that this target will be met by 2007 and that an interim target of 0.45% of GNP will be achieved by the end of 2002.

Following this decision, agreement was reached between the Ministers for Finance and Foreign Affairs on a three year allocation for Vote 39 for the period 2001-03. The amounts agreed were as follows:

	Vote 39£m	Increase onprevious year£m
2001	188	52
2002	293	105
2003	347	54

The provision for expenditure under the bilateral aid heading in 2001 is £138 million, most of which – £112 million – had been expended by 31 October 2001. We are on target to spend the full provision by the end of this year.

The agreed provision for bilateral aid expenditure in 2002 is £218 million.

Question No. 95 answered with Question No. 9.

Question No. 96 answered with Question No. 50.