Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the additional allocation of €60 million to official development assistance in budget 2024 is sufficient to meet Ireland's goals in this area in 2024; how this allocation factors into meeting Ireland's commitments to spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA by 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46886/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2024 included an increase of €60 million in the allocation to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs for 2024. At €776.5 million, this will be the highest level ever, representing an 8.4% increase on the 2023 allocation. Based on current estimates, total ODA from across Government for 2024 will amount to some €2 billion. The increase of €60 million will allow Ireland to reach more people, particularly those affected by climate change, the war in Ukraine, and humanitarian crises around the world. It is an important signal internationally at a time of unparalleled humanitarian crisis and challenges to progress in international development.
The Government remains committed to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in ODA. We have just published the 2022 Irish Aid Annual Report, which contains detailed statistics on Ireland's development and humanitarian assistance worldwide. It shows that, in 2022, Ireland's total ODA reached an all-time high level of 0.63% of GNI, including eligible first-year costs for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland. Excluding funding for Ukrainian refugees, the level is 0.39% of GNI. It is important to note that since 2022 none of the costs associated with the reception of Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has been sourced from the original ODA Budget allocation.
Ireland's international development programme has a strong global reputation for its effectiveness and its focus on extreme poverty and hunger. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, in its mid-term review of Ireland's development programme, published in the last few weeks, stated that Ireland has continued its leadership as an advocate for sustainable development, a staunch multilateralist, a good partner for civil society and promoter of development education.
