Written answers

Tuesday, 28 May 2024

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Overseas Development Aid

Photo of Patrick CostelloPatrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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89. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to reach the 0.7% of gross national income for overseas development assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/24]

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA), and has consistently increased the allocations to ODA over recent years.

Ireland's total Official Development Assistance for 2024 is expected to be some €2 billion, including eligible first-year costs for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland, the exact figure for which will not be known until the end of the year. This includes €775.3 million for the international development assistance programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This is the highest ever allocation by Government, in the 50th anniversary year of the establishment of the Irish Aid programme.

The latest international ODA figures published in April by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, show that Ireland's ODA for 2023 stood at €2.6 billion, including eligible costs for Ukrainian refugees. This represents 0.67% of Gross National Income. Excluding Ukrainian refugee costs, our ODA for 2023 was €1.47 million, or 0.38% of GNI. It is important to note that none of the funding for Ukrainian refugees in Ireland has been sourced from the original Budget allocations for ODA.

We will continue to work to increase Ireland's ODA in line with commitments, including the commitment to provide at least €225 million annually in international climate finance by 2025.

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