Minister Lenihan welcomes report of the OECD Development Assistance Committee

Ireland jumps to 6^th largest aid donor per capita

Conor Lenihan TD, Minister of State for Irish Aid and Human Rights, this afternoon welcomed the publication of the latest report on international aid by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development).

The report shows that globally aid to developing countries fell last year (down 5.1% to $103.9 billion). However, it shows that Ireland recorded the largest international increase in its aid budget (up 33.7% on 2005). This year, Ireland will spend over €815 million on official development assistance (ODA).

In 2006, Ireland was the sixth largest donor per capita, with 0.53% of gross national income devoted to ODA. This is a jump from twelfth place in 2005. Tomorrow, Minister Lenihan will attend the ministerial meeting of the OECD Development Assistance Committee in Paris. Speaking ahead of the meeting, the Minister said:

“Ireland can truly be proud of its commitment to helping the world’s poorest people. Every day, Irish Aid is working effectively to improve the lives of these people.

This report demonstrates that Ireland is on course to reach its commitment to reach the UN’s aid target of 0.7% of gross national income by 2012.”

Minister Lenihan has been invited to lead a discussion at the Paris meeting on aid effectiveness. He will highlight the need for value for money in the area of aid expenditure and the importance of greater public awareness of the impact of aid programmes. 

The report of the Development Assistance Committee is available at www.oecd.org