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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

306 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the financial assistance available to the Irish Lifesaving Foundation in regard to seriously beginning to deal with the drowning problems in Africa (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19758/02]

The funding available to Ireland Aid is targeted on basic needs and poverty reduction in some of the poorest countries in the world. Sectors such as primary health care, basic education, the provision of clean water and rural development receive priority attention. Full details of the Ireland Aid programme and the schemes administered under it, including a breakdown of projects funded through co-financing with NGOs, are available in the annual reports of the programme which are lodged with the Oireachtas Library. The most recent annual report, for 2001, was published last month.

While it is fully recognised that drowning is a serious problem in many parts of Africa, the proposal made in the documentation provided by the Deputy does not appear to fall within the parameters set for the programme. I have, however, arranged for official-level discussion of the matter with the organisation in question.

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