Overseas Development Aid.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2006

Wednesday, 25 October 2006

Ceisteanna (98, 99)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

141 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the moneys allocated to Irish Aid for 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34431/06]

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

150 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the projected increase in the amount allocated to Irish Aid in 2007 compared with 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34430/06]

Freagraí scríofa

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 150 together.

In September 2005, speaking to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Taoiseach committed Ireland to reaching the UN target of 0.7% of GNP on Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries by 2012.

An interim target of 0.5% was set for 2007. The necessary provision will be made in the 2007 Estimates Volume to meet this commitment. The Estimates are currently being finalised and will be published in due course. The total ODA budget for 2006 will amount to around €734 million.