Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 January 2022
233. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which Ireland’s overseas development aid programme continues to identify the most suitable and deserving recipients for aid; the extent of such aid in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Better World, Ireland's international development policy, identifies reaching the furthest behind first as a key objective, mandating the Irish Aid programme to work with countries and people in greatest need. Half of Ireland’s bilateral development assistance is specifically targeted at assisting low income and least developed countries, double the OECD average: additionally, Irish Aid’s humanitarian response places a strong emphasis on fragile context and addressing so-called ‘forgotten crises’.
Ireland’s commitment to, and ability to deliver on, a needs-based allocation of development assistance is internationally recognised. In 2020, the OECD assessed the Irish Aid programme, finding Ireland to be "an excellent humanitarian partner", with the Irish Aid funding model a "useful inspiration for other DAC donors". It was this emphasis on those most in need which the respected international think-tank ODI assessed last year, finding Ireland to be the most principled donor.
The allocation to development aid has increased year on year for the past eight years, with the 2022 allocation to exceed €1 billion for the first time. The table below sets out the allocations to official development aid for the five years 2017-21.
Detailed information about the recipient partners and countries of Ireland's development cooperation can be found in the Irish Aid Annual Reports for the years 2017- 2020, available on the Irish Aid website. The 2021 Annual Report will be published later this year.
Total ODA 2017-2020
|
Year |
ODA €M |
|
2017 |
743.42 |
|
2018 |
791.63 |
|
2019 |
869.54 |
|
2020 |
867.53 |
|
2021* |
868.00 |
* This is 2021 ODA allocation. Final 2021 out turn is calculated in arrears and will be published in the 2021 Annual Report
