Government Ministers visit Ireland Aid project in Tanzania
The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights, Ms Liz O'Donnell TD, paid a visit to Tanzania from 5-9 October.
The purpose of the visit was to inspect at first hand the Ireland Aid programme of official bilateral development assistance for Tanzania. Under its current three year programme for Tanzania (2000-2002), Ireland Aid is providing a total of IR£40m in assistance to the country. This is being given principally in the sectors of health, education, local government reform and debt relief. In addition, Ireland Aid funds development programmes in four partner districts of Tanzania.
The Ministers visited a number of Ireland Aid- assisted projects in one of these districts (Muheza). The Minister for Finance opened a school which has been funded by Ireland Aid in co-operation with the local community. The Minister of State inaugurated a health clinic which has been rehabilitated with Ireland Aid funds and she administered the first vaccination in an anti-polio programme.
The Ministers had a meeting on 8 October with President Mkapa of Tanzania, at which the Minister of State confirmed plans for a training programme for senior Tanzanian Government officials in Ireland beginning next month. They also had discussions with the Prime Minister, Minister for Finance and other Ministers. They met members of the Irish Community in Tanzania as well as representatives of the international donor community.Top
