Joan Burton
Ceist:44 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on his Department's Estimate for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30478/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.
My Department is responsible for two votes, Vote 28, Foreign Affairs, and Vote 29, international co-operation. The abridged Book of Estimates for public services in 2004 includes a gross provision of €204 million for Vote 28 and €399 million for Vote 29.
The Vote 28 provision represents an increase of some 13% on the gross allocation of €179 million for 2003. The additional funding is required to cover increased salary costs arising under the benchmarking and Sustaining Progress agreements, an allocation to cover Ireland's EU Presidency in 2004, an increased provision for emigrant services abroad and funding for the automated passport production system. The latter is essential to meet future demands for passports in an efficient and effective manner and to comply with new international security regulations for passports.
The Vote 29 allocation represents an increase of 7% on the gross allocation of €374 million for 2003 and is the highest ever allocation to the Vote. This increase will enable the Government to maintain official development assistance at 0.41% of GNP and will allow Development Co-operation Ireland to consolidate its activities across all areas of the programme and to intensify efforts in a number of key areas.