Trócaire welcomes aid commitment

TRÓCAIRE has welcomed the Government’s decision to keep the allocation on overseas aid on track to reach the target of spending 0.7% of GNP on aid by 2012.

“The Government committed to protecting the poorest people in this budget and should be commended for sticking to its target on aid spending in light of the country’s serious financial difficulties,” said director Justin Kilcullen.

However, the head of Concern said the budget represented a cut in overseas aid. Tom Arnold, chief executive of Concern Worldwide, said Ireland can and must still reach the 0.7% target despite yesterday’s reduction in the overseas aid budget.

Official figures from the Department of Finance confirmed that the 2009 budget for overseas aid will be set at €891 million which equates to 0.56% of GNP, a drop of 0.01% on 2008. Mr Arnold acknowledged the budget was prepared in extremely difficult domestic and global circumstances, but said the Government must reach its target.

“Despite today’s cut to the overseas aid budget, Ireland can and must still reach 0.7% by the 2012 target,” said Mr Arnold.