asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department's co-financing with Irish non-governmental organisations of developing projects in the Third World has effectively ceased this year because the amount allocated in the 1981 Estimates had already been fully committed in 1981; and, if so, whether he intends to resume support of the valuable work carried out by these voluntary agencies.

The funds available this year form the Bilateral Aid Fund for the co-financing of development projects with non-governmental organisations have already been earmarked either for projects carried forward from 1980 and earlier or for new projects.

Having regard to commitments in other areas of bilateral aid, the amount which could be allocated for the co-financing scheme in 1981 is not as great as I would have wished.

It is my intention to provide additional funds for co-financing in 1982 insofar as this may be possible within the overall level of available funds.

Is the Minister clearly saying that there are no funds and that there will be no funds for any co-financing projects in 1981?

I am not saying that. Certain moneys were made available in 1981. The bulk of the money available in 1981 was in respect of projects which have already been decided upon in 1980. Some money was available in 1981 for new projects and that money has been allocated to the new projects. There will not be any further new programmes under this heading in 1981.

Would the Minister agree that all the funds available in this year's Estimate and provided for in the budget for such projects would be absorbed by projects for which commitment was given in 1980 and that no new projects will be initiated in 1981?

I said that most of the money——

What percentage?

I do not know, but the bulk of it is being spent in respect of projects that were decided upon in 1980. Some money was available for new projects and that has been allocated to them in 1981.

Will the Minister give the House some figures instead of estimates. The Minister or his Department knows the percentage and if the Minister does not have the figures here, could he make them available later on?

The figure this year under this heading is £200,000 out of a total bilateral aid programme of £4.55 million.

How much of the £200,000 has already been committed and has already been absorbed?

All of it is now committed on 1980 and 1981 projects.

The Minister is carefully evading the question.