Trevor Sargent
Ceist:60 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the level of Ireland's overseas development aid for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26480/02]
Written Answers. - Overseas Development Aid.
Joe Sherlock
Ceist:86 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it remains the Government's commitment to meet the target for ODA of 0.7% of GNP by 2007; the proportion of that target which will be met this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26536/02]
Denis Naughten
Ceist:98 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the date he has set for Ireland to reach the UN target of 0.7% of GNP for aid to developing countries. [26454/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 86, and 98 together.
The Government's national programme of assistance to developing countries comprises two elements. The major component, my Department's Vote for international co-operation, will amount to €373 million in 2003, while elements of ODA which are expected to total some €80 million in 2003 are administered by other Departments. Total spending on ODA is likely to be in the region of €450 million next year, compared to some €420 million in 2002.
The increased allocation for next year, the highest ever allocation in the history of the programme, should enable us to maintain our contribution at current levels, that is around 0.41% of GNP. It keeps us at sixth place in percentage terms in the international league table of donors, behind Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. At 0.41%, we are well ahead of the EU average. Maintaining our contribution as a proportion of GNP in these difficult times is a measure of the Government's clear commitment to achieving the UN target of 0.7% of GNP by 2007. This commitment has been confirmed on many occasions and is part of An Agreed Programme for Government.