ActionAid Ireland welcomes increase in Overseas Aid budget
ActionAid Ireland welcomes the announcement in today’s budget that spending on Official Development Assistance (ODA) will increase by €110 million reaching 0.39% of Gross National Income (GNI) in 2019.
Siobhán McGee, CEO of ActionAid Ireland, said: “This is the most significant increase for ODA in a decade. We welcome the government’s commitment to copper fastening Ireland’s contribution to leadership in global development and humanitarian action. People in Ireland have remained steadfast in their support to end poverty and injustice through very tough times; this decision by government recognises that Irish people are committed to standing up for social justice and to ending poverty”.
“We recognise the commitment of An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, and Minister Ciaran Cannon, to ensuring Ireland’s leadership on international development.
It is however disappointing not to see the introduction of more urgent measures to mitigate the effects of climate change. Climate change disproportionately affects those living precariously and in poverty”.
ActionAid Ireland, and our colleagues in 44 countries across the globe, are committed to working for social justice, to end poverty and achieve gender equality, made possible through support of people in Ireland and Irish Aid’s Programme Grant support to end gender-based violence and ensure women’s economic empowerment.