Overseas Development Aid.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2005

Wednesday, 26 October 2005

Ceisteanna (110)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

184 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of financial aid given to Third World countries in 2006 and the projected figures for 2007. [31015/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. C. Lenihan)

The Taoiseach announced at the UN Millennium Review Summit in New York on 14 September that the Government would reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on official development assistance by 2012. Interim targets of 0.47% of GNP in 2006 and 0.5% in 2007 have also been agreed. The 2006 Estimates process is under way and the allocations to the Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs for international co-operation, Vote 29, will be agreed in the context of the Estimates negotiations. On the basis of anticipated growth rates, however, total ODA is expected to be of the order of €675 million in 2006 and €793 million in 2007.