The Church’s overseas aid agency Trócaire has welcomed the Government’s announcement this week to continue investment in the development budget.
Following Tuesday’s budget, Caoimhe de Barra, Trócaire’s Chief Executive said: “We understand the Government is budgeting in deeply uncertain times and we are pleased that they have demonstrated an understanding for the need to continue to invest in global development.
At a time when other countries are retreating inwardly, it should be a source of pride that Ireland continues to look outwardly to play a positive role in the world,” she said.
Development
Ms de Barra pointed out that only 4c of every €100 spend by the exchequer is spend on overseas development “so proportionately it is a small spend but it continues to save and change lives across the developing world.
“We hope that once Ireland navigates the current crisis the Government will continue its pathway towards reaching its international commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on overseas aid,” she said.