219. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her current plans to meet the recommended target of 0.7% of GDP for overseas development aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42200/26]

The Government remains committed to the target agreed at the UN to provide 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA). The commitment was reaffirmed in A Better World, Ireland's International Development Policy.  The Programme for Government also commits to increases in the allocations for ODA, working towards the 0.7% target.

The preliminary estimate of Ireland’s total ODA expenditure for 2025 is €1.86 billion, representing 0.42% of Gross National Income (GNI). Excluding ODA-eligible support for Ukrainian refugees in their first year in Ireland, the figure was €1.59 billion, or 0.36% as a percentage of GNI.

In recent years, the Government has consistently increased the allocation for the Irish Aid programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which works to address the needs of some of the world’s poorest or most climate-exposed countries and communities and those living in areas affected by conflict.

For 2026 this allocation stands at €866.4 billion, an increase of over €56 million from the 2025 allocation. This is the highest ever allocation in the 52-year history of Ireland's development programme.