Foreign Affairs target keeps aid target on course

The Estimates allocation for the Foreign Affairs Department will keep the Government on course to achieve its UN overseas aid target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012, it emerged today.

Funding for emigrant groups in Britain and the US will also increase by 45% to €12m in 2006.

A total of €675m will be spent on ODA in 2006, a rise of €130m on 2005.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said Ireland remains on target to reach the Government’s new commitment of achieving 0.7% of GNP by 2012.

“This allocation puts us firmly on the road to reaching the 0.5% interim target the Government set for 2007 spending, on our way to meeting the UN target for spending on aid of 0.7% of GNP in 2012,” he said.

Mr Ahern explained that the extra funding for emigrants would provide front-line services to Irish communities in Britain, the US and Australia.

The ODA spending will go towards efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, famine and hunger and increasing capacity to respond to disasters.

“With the commitment of this Government to the development agenda, Ireland can set itself the achievable aim of being the very best in the development field. It is what the Irish public expects and deserves,” Mr Ahern said.

Government contributions to international organisations and the EU movement in Ireland were also sanctioned.

A €200,000 allocation for the Asia Strategy business development initiative will fund trade delegations and media visits.

Other funding increases went towards the cultural activities of embassies and Irish-related courses at third level colleges abroad.

“Programmes such as these, ranging from literature, the Irish language to history and politics, are an important means of increasing knowledge of Ireland, including of contemporary Ireland,” said Mr Ahern.