Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016
51. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way the Government plans to meet the UN target of 0.7% of GNP for ODA in view of the fact that budget 2017 allocated only an additional €10 million to ODA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31703/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra52. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department is still committed to ensuring Ireland reaches the goal of spending 0.7% of gross national income on overseas development assistance; and, if so, if he will detail when and the way in which his Department plans on reaching this goal. [31792/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
The Government has consistently affirmed its strong commitment to Ireland's overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Our policy for international development, “One World, One Future”, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) as economic conditions allow.
The Programme for Government further sets out our ambition to make progress towards the UN target as resources permit. It is important that such progress is made in a sustainable and manageable way which strengthens Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight to end global poverty and hunger.
In the very difficult economic circumstances of recent years, the Government managed to stabilise and protect allocations to ODA. We made annual contributions to ODA in excess of €600 million and consistently stated that we would make progress towards the 0.7% target as economic conditions allowed.
As the economic recovery consolidates, we have managed to increase funding for ODA by €40 million for 2016 and by a further €10 million for 2017. The total allocation for ODA for 2017 will therefore be €651 million, bringing to just under €4.5 billion the total amount of public funding provided for Ireland's development assistance over the period 2011 to 2017.
The revised Department of Finance forecasts for GNP mean that the percentage provided for ODA in 2016 is likely to be in the region of 0.3%. In this context, I want to reaffirm our commitment to making incremental, sustainable progress towards achieving the 0.7% UN target by 2030, over the period of the Sustainable Development Goals adopted last year at the United Nations.
