Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
336 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make overseas aid a priority in the budget and to increase it to 0.7% of gross national product; and to make this a priority issue. [21475/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government attaches a high priority to increasing Ireland's contributions to official development assistance. There have been substantial increases in expenditure in recent years. Summary data for the past six years and the expected out-turn for 2004 are set out in the table below. This level of expenditure demonstrates the strong commitment of the Government to attain the UN target of 0.7% of GNP. In percentage terms, Ireland is one of the world's leading donors — we are currently in joint seventh place — and well above the EU average. It is hoped that increased allocations, the scale and timing of which will be considered on an ongoing basis, will be possible over the coming years with a view to achieving our objective. As the Deputy will understand, the 2005 allocation for my Department's Vote for international co-operation will be agreed in the context of the current Estimates negotiations.
|
Year |
Total ODA (€m) |
|
2004 (Estim.) |
475 |
|
2003 |
446 |
|
2002 |
422 |
|
2001 |
320 |
|
2000 |
254 |
|
1999 |
231 |
|
1998 |
177 |
