asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to send volunteers from Ireland to the developing countries to assist and advise on social matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

While there is no official scheme for the sending of volunteers to developing countries my Department are studying how we can co-operate further with international organisations and voluntary agencies operating in this field.

Can the Minister state if any money has been provided by the Government for the provision of such aid?

There is an inter-departmental examination being carried out in the wide context of the provision of technical assistance and this would be part of the picture. There has not been any money supplied so far.

Can the Minister state when this inter-departmental inquiry commenced and when he expects to have a report on the matter?

Around September the Irish organisations came together but I have not the precise date for the beginning of the work of the committee.

30.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a report that Ireland's official aid to developing countries is only one-seventh of 1 per cent of GNP; if it is proposed to increase the amount of aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I have seen the report in question. The level of official aid has been increasing in accordance with the Government's policy to give increasing assistance to developing countries as our resources permit.

The Minister will be aware that in the report there is criticism of the Government. I would hope that the Minister would listen.

Yes.

The Government were criticised about the very small percentage of our GNP that is devoted to developing countries. Could the Minister say how it compares with that of countries with a GNP of a similar size?

Is any part of the money in question here devoted to the oppressed people in the Six Counties or is this the wrong heading under which this would be dealt with? Is it dealt with under any other heading or are we giving anything at the moment to these oppressed people who need it so badly?

Can the Minister say if there is any guideline in respect of official aid as distinct from private aid?

This is in terms of developing countries. I think that answers Deputy Blaney's question. This is not an allocation of money for those who are oppressed.

Or maltreated.

No.

Would the Minister care to answer my supplementary?

I have not got the list of comparisons but Deputies can take it that the target mentioned is not in fact a target. Even in relation to the well developed countries a figure of .7 per cent of the GNP exists but no developed country has reached it. There is a general belief that there is a target figure of 1 per cent for official aid but this is not so.

I am not asking about the target. I am asking about countries with a comparable GNP. How do we compare with them?

That is a separate question.

I would have to have further work done to get those figures.

Perhaps the Minister will contact me about them.

Question No. 31.

Is it not the case that the official aid——

I have called Question No. 31.

——being given by the Irish Government is about one-fifth of the target laid down for official aid?

As I have just said, there is not an actual target of 1 per cent. This has taken on a life of its own. It is not a target. It is an accepted figure which has not been reached. One per cent of the GNP has been used in criticism of the fact that we have not reached it, but it is not in fact a target. While saying that, I would agree that our contribution is very small. We are trying to do more.

Private individuals are doing their job but the Government are not.

It is not exclusive. If a person is giving out of his private pocket it does not mean that he has to give out of taxes as well, but I should like to see more done. We are improving.