Vol. 563 No. 1
288 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he, at EU or UN level, is prepared to launch initiatives with a view to alleviating hardship, hunger and strife at the most obvious and vulnerable locations throughout the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7438/03]
I refer the Deputy to the answer given to Questions Nos. 114, 246 and 252 on Wednesday, 5 March 2003.
289 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is satisfied that Ireland's overseas development aid is efficiently getting to those for whom it was intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7439/03]
The core objectives of the Ireland Aid programme continue to be poverty reduction and sustainable development. Meeting the basic human needs of some of the poorest people in the world and improving their access to food, water, health services, sanitation, education and employment are key goals of the programme, at both bilateral and multilateral level. The centrality of fighting pov erty, which guides the range of activities supported by Ireland Aid, was reaffirmed in the recent report of the Ireland Aid review committee.
The main geographical focus of the bilateral programme is sub-Saharan Africa, the poorest region in the world. Ireland Aid provides long-term development assistance to six programme countries – Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Ethiopia – as well as South Africa within the framework of three year country strategy papers, CSPs. In line with other donors we operate in the main through our partner Governments and agree with them the priorities for the country strategies to ensure that Ireland Aid programmes respond effectively to their development needs. This is standard practice in building up government capacity and strengthening their sense of ownership of the development process.
Ensuring that the aid we provide reaches those for whom it is intended is of fundamental importance to the Ireland Aid programme. Our systems and procedures are designed with this in mind and are constantly under review. The bilateral country programmes are subject to annual external audit by reputable accountancy firms. The programmes and projects which form part of the overall programme are themselves audited. In addition, the evaluation and audit unit of Ireland Aid carries out a series of evaluations of programme activities to ensure, inter alia, that the assistance which we provide reaches its targeted beneficiaries at all times.
Question No. 290 answered with Question No. 269.
Question No. 291 answered with Question No. 285.
292 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Government proposes to assist aid agencies in Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7442/03]
I refer the Deputy to answers given to Questions Nos. 123 and 184 on Wednesday, 5 March 2003.
Question Nos. 293 answered with Question No. 269.
