TD Demands Full Breakdown of Overseas Aid Overheads
“The Department has stated that 3 percent of ODA is categorised as administration. However, this figure applies only to departmental administration and does not account for programme support costs, consultancy fees, management charges or overhead retained by implementing partners and multilateral agencies,” he said.
Deputy O’Flynn has submitted further Parliamentary Questions seeking:
The blended effective overhead rate across total ODA expenditure
The programme support cost percentages applied by multilateral organisations
The monetary value deducted from Irish contributions for programme support
Details of any audit findings, financial corrections or clawbacks in the past three years
Whether any benchmarks or ceilings exist for acceptable overhead ratios
“If there are no benchmarks, the Minister must explain why. If there are no consolidated figures, the Department must produce them.”
Deputy O’Flynn stressed that the issue is not whether Ireland should provide humanitarian support.
“Ireland has a long-standing commitment to assisting vulnerable communities worldwide. But generosity without transparency is not good governance. Taxpayers are entitled to know how much of every euro leaves Dublin and how much ultimately reaches those in need.”
He concluded: “This is about standards. If the system is efficient, the data will show it. If it is not, it must be tightened. Either way, the public deserves clarity.”
