Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 October 2018
67. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the various destinations included in Ireland’s bilateral aid programme and those in the multilateral aid programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40553/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. In line with our commitment to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, our aid programme is sharply focused on delivering our goals of reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and building more equitable and better systems of governance.
The Irish Aid Annual Report 2017, published on 2 October last, indicates that last year Irish bilateral assistance reached 87 of the world’s under developed countries and a total of 143 countries received Irish support channelled through the multilateral system. A full list of all of the countries and multilateral agencies receiving ODA from Ireland in the annual report, which is available at: https://www.irishaid.ie/news-publications/ .
Irish assistance is given in support of countries development needs, typically in response to their poverty reduction strategies, and through the provision of humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and protracted crises. Sub-Saharan Africa remains our priority focus, where we direct assistance to the poorest communities, delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world poorest and most vulnerable people in the areas of basic health, education, agriculture, and food production. This focus is reflected in the adjudication last month by the Overseas Development Institute that Irish Aid is the world’s most efficient donor at targeting extreme poverty.
We have a particularly strategic input into poverty reduction in those countries in Africa where we have a resident embassy - Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania Uganda, Zambia - allowing Ireland to play a key role in their long-term development. A similar strategic role is played by the Embassy to Vietnam. Smaller more focused programs are delivered in countries and territories such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya and Palestine.
Ireland’s aid programme is delivered through a wide range of partners and channels, including partner government systems, Irish and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionary organisations, and UN and other multilateral agencies and organisations. We engage with UN and multilateral agencies whose core mission and objectives are closely aligned to Ireland’s aid priorities, allowing us to work with and support vulnerable communities across most developing countries.
Funding for multilateral organisations is kept under regular review by my Department, to ensure that it is targeted and provided to partners which can contribute most effectively to delivering the priorities of our foreign policy and our international development policy.
Multilateral support is mainly channelled through: the European Union development cooperation and humanitarian programmes, for example the European Development Fund (EDF); the United Nations in the form of either core funding for UN agencies, or specific programmatic support, for example with UNICEF; and the multilateral development banks such as the World Bank - all important contributors to social and economic development, peace and security, and human rights.
