Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2020
430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total amount of overseas development aid offered to various bodies globally in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which such funds reach their desired destination; if there were any exceptions to such rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38704/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount of Ireland’s overseas development aid increased from €647.51 million in 2015 to €869.87 million in 2019. Information on the recipients of this ODA, and the channels through which ODA is delivered, can be found in the annual reports from Irish Aid. A link to the report can be found at: https://www.irishaid.ie/news-publications/news/newsarchive/2020/november/irelands-official-development-assistance-annual-report-2019.html
In 2018, 45% of Ireland’s funding to multilateral organisations went to European Union institutions, 39% went to UN Agencies, Funds or Commissions, 6% went to the World Bank Group, with other multilateral organisations such as regional development banks and the WTO comprising the remaining spend. Detailed annexes to the 2019 Annual Report will be published in the coming weeks containing the equivalent information for last year.
The allocation of Ireland’s ODA is guided by our international development policy, A Better World. This policy has as its overarching objective the commitment to reach the furthest behind first. Peer Reviews of Ireland’s development programme, undertaken through the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), have consistently found Ireland's development cooperation to be of the highest quality, commending our poverty focus and commitment to Least Developed Countries.
The DAC Peer Review conducted this year also noted Ireland’s strong focus on addressing fragility and reducing humanitarian need, and stated that Ireland’s “allocations follow intentions”.
