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The Government has increased spending on overseas development aid (ODA) to more than €1 billion for the first time.
The additional €140 million allocated in Budget 2022, which will go towards projects in developing countries in particular, was broadly welcomed by the charity sector.
However Dochás – an umbrella group representing 57 development organisations – said it had requested clarity regarding how the Government intends to achieve its commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on overseas development by 2030.
A Dóchas spokesman said the most recent rate was 0.31 per cent. The Department of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Double investment
Announcing the increase in the Dáil, Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath said it was an important step towards the delivery of the programme for government commitment to double Irish aid investment in climate-action measures by 2030.
Minister of State for ODA Colm Brophy said the increase was the second highest ever announced and an “important statement of Irish global solidarity at a time when many millions around the world are trying to cope with the challenges of the pandemic, increasing hunger and climate change”.
Concern Worldwide said Ireland’s overseas development assistance programme has been consistently ranked among the highest quality in the world.
“The increase comes at a very challenging time with 41 million people in 43 countries currently at risk of dying from hunger,” said its chief executive Dominic MacSorley.