To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how he will reach the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product for Overseas Development Assistance as per the Programme for Government

​Question No. 5
Parliamentary Question - Oireachtas

To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade how he will reach the United Nations target of 0.7 per cent of Gross National Product for Overseas Development Assistance  as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.
For PRIORITY answer on Thursday, 26th May, 2016.
Ref No: 12238/16

REPLY
(Minister of State Mr. Joe McHugh T.D.)

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas aid programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy.  We have restated this clearly in the Programme for Government.  One World, One Future”, our policy for international development, clearly articulates our commitment to the UN target of providing 0.7% of Gross National Product (GNP) as Official Development Assistance (ODA).  
 
The Programme for Government sets out our ambition to making progress towards the UN Target as resources permit.  It is important that such progress is made in a sustainable and manageable way which strengthens Ireland's recognised role as a reliable and effective partner in providing humanitarian assistance and contributing to the fight to end global poverty and hunger.
 
Since 2011, Ireland has provided in excess of €3.8 billion in ODA.  This has involved very significant annual contributions in excess of €600 million, at a time of great economic difficulty.   Over this time, the Taoiseach and Ministers have consistently stated that we would make progress towards the 0.7% target once economic conditions allow.  
 
Now as our economic recovery consolidates and strengthens, we are in position to begin to make good on that commitment.
     
For 2016, we have provided a total of over €640 million in ODA, an increase of €40 million, or almost 7% on the 2015 budget allocation.  This represents the first substantial increase in the aid budget in over seven years.