Agencies in shock as overseas aid budget slashed by €100m

OVERSEAS aids agencies reacted with shock and horror at the €100 million cut in Ireland’s overseas aid budget announced by Brian Lenihan.

“These cuts go to the heart of Ireland’s aid programme and will without doubt lead to people losing their lives,” said Hans Zomer, director of Dóchas, the umbrella group of Ireland’s major aid agencies. “Vital programmes providing clean water, healthcare, food and support to victims of disasters will now have to be cut.”

The most trenchant criticism came from Oxfam Ireland, which called for an immediate reversal of this decision. “With this cut, our government’s promise to the world’s poorest people rings hollow. This is the fourth cut in 10 months — demonstrating that the Irish Government sees the aid budget as a soft target,” said chief executive Jim Clarken.