I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 208 together.
Programmes and projects supported by Irish Aid are subject to detailed planning and preparation to ensure they are designed to meet the needs of the poor. Poverty reduction is at the heart of the aid programme and this focus has been endorsed by the White Paper on Irish Aid, published in September. Irish Aid constantly monitors and evaluates the implementation and outcome of its interventions, either directly with development partners including governments, non-governmental organisations and civil society, or in co-operation with other donors and international organisations, so that its effectiveness can be measured against defined objectives and against the broad aim of contributing to sustainable poverty reduction. If there is evidence of misuse of funds, it is investigated thoroughly and appropriate remedial and preventive measures are put in place. Aid is delivered in some of the most difficult operating environments in the world, where the strength of systems and capacities of our partners, both governmental and civil society, are not well developed. The challenge for our programme is not only to reduce poverty but at the same time to build capacity across a range of institutions in developing countries. Good governance is a key objective of the programme, one of the main aims of which is to build effective systems of service delivery and to identify and remedy misuse of funds and weak administration.
The highest importance is attached to the Audit and Evaluation functions in the Irish Aid programme. Rigorous accounting and control systems are in place to protect Irish funding from misuse. Irish Aid organises audits through its Audit and Evaluation Unit and in conjunction with reputable international firms. Over the history of the programme, the attention and resources devoted to Audit and Evaluation has greatly increased. In 2003, an independent Audit Committee was established. Formal audit and evaluation systems have been designed and implemented including the overseas office audit policy, value for money study guidelines and the Audit Charter. Internal auditors are in place in 5 Programme Countries and additional auditors will be recruited as appropriate.
Ireland's overseas development assistance is effective. The development programme has been favourably reviewed by the OECD. Working in over ninety countries, and with a particular emphasis on Africa, Irish Aid is helping people to improve their own lives and is making a real difference on the ground. For instance, in Lesotho in 1999, enrolment in primary schools was at 57%. With Ireland's support, by 2003, this figure had increased to 82%. With Ireland's support, immunisation rates against childhood diseases in Uganda are now at 84% for the entire country. More generally, it is clear that development assistance is having a positive effect in Africa. In its Africa Development — Indicators 2006 Report, the World Bank notes that in contrast with the 1990s, conflicts in Africa have declined and economic performance has improved. It notes also that since the second half of the 1990s, many low income African countries including Mozambique and Uganda have lifted significant percentages of their citizens above the poverty line.