Minister refuses to rule out cutbacks in overseas aid

THE prospect of cutbacks in foreign aid given to poor countries has not been ruled out by Overseas Development Minister Peter Power.

Launching Irish Aid’s annual report, he warned its budget was reflected by economic activity and right now this was “stagnant”, not only in Ireland but in many parts of the world.

Ireland spent €870 million on foreign development aid last year. Just below a quarter of this went on NGO and missionary work.