Ireland’s Overseas Aid Increases by 11.4%

New figures issued by the OECD show that Ireland is one of just 14 major donor countries to increase its overseas aid. The 2005 figures produced by the OECD's Development Assistance Committee show that Irish Aid grew by 11.4% last year.

Minister of State Lenihan said:

“These figures show that Ireland will be in the first group of aid donors to reach the 0.7% target for overseas aid before 2015.”

The Minister of State made his comments in response to the new figures at the OECD's annual Ministerial meeting in Paris. The 2005 figures show that Ireland spent 0.41% of Gross National Income (GNI) on Overseas Development Aid.

The Minister noted that;

“Based on current GNI estimates for 2006, Ireland's official aid spending is likely to reach 0.5% of GNI this year, a year ahead of our own interim target of 0.5% in 2007.”

“These increases have been managed while preserving the quality for which Ireland's aid programme has become known.  Ireland is regarded by other donors, multilateral organisations and by non-governmental agencies as having one of the most effective and poverty focused aid programmes in the world.”

ENDS+++
4th April 2006

Note for Editors:
The Irish Aid programme has expanded by more than 400% in the last ten years (€142m to €734m). In September 2005, speaking at the UN General Assembly, the Taoiseach announced that Ireland would reach the UN official aid spending target of 0.7% of GNI by 2012, reaching the interim target of 0.5% of GNI by 2007. At present anticipated growth rates, official aid spending in 2012 could be of the order of €1.5 billion.