MOS Costello meets Ireland's new communities to discuss future of Ireland's aid programme

“The views and experience of members of Ireland’s new communities will contribute significantly to the ongoing review of Ireland’s overseas aid programme”, Minister for Trade and Development Joe Costello TD said today.

Minister Costello is hosting a special meeting with diaspora groups living in Ireland today as part of the review of the White Paper on Irish Aid.

Minister Costello said:

 “I believe it is crucial to have a varied source of ideas and experience to draw upon when shaping the future of Ireland’s overseas aid programme. Today’s meeting gives me the opportunity to hear the perspectives of people of different ethnic backgrounds, including those who have experience of living in developing countries.

 To date I have hosted three public consultations in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, as well as a regional meeting in Malawi. I am also consulting with the business community, NGOs and the Oireachtas.

Ireland is recognised as a world leader in delivering strong results for our investment in international development. This review will enable us to focus and prioritise our aid programme even further, build on our strengths and respond to new opportunities. 

Our meetings to date have led to discussions on how we can best tackle climate change and alleviate poverty in fragile states, in addition to focusing on good governance and human rights, including gender equality. It is important that this review considers the changing nature of poverty and emerging challenges such as rising food and energy prices and the global economic crisis.”

Today’s meeting at the Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre in Dublin was organised by Irish Aid and the New Communities Partnership. It will be chaired by Nora Owen, Chairperson of the Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group.

The final public consultation on the White Paper review will take place in Sligo on April 16. Members of the public can contribute to the review process in writing or by email; by organising a discussion on any matter of interest and sending responses in writing; or by following the review on Facebook, Twitter and online (full details of the options for responding are available at  our White Paper website page).

Later this year a Review Report will be published to set out the future priorities for Irish Aid.

For further information or to request an interview with Minister Costello, please contact Denise O’Donovan, Press Office, Irish Aid, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 01 4082411/ 086 0649866.

Note to the Editor:

-         Irish Aid is the Government’s programme for overseas development. It is managed by the Development Cooperation Directorate of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

-          The Irish Aid Expert Advisory Group (EAG) will offer independent advice to the Minister throughout its duration. For further information about the EAG please go to our Advisory Group page.

-          A consultation paper for the review of the White Paper on Irish Aid has been published.  Hard copies of the consultation paper summary document will be widely distributed and are also available online on our White Paper website page

-          There will also be consultation with members of the Oireachtas.

-          The New Communities Partnership was formally launched as an independent body in 2005 with the aim of empowering and representing ethnic minorities and their organisations in Ireland.