Aid cuts costing lives - Minister Richmond

A Government Minister has pledged that Ireland will maintain its International Development budget, bucking the global trend.

The Minister of State with responsibility for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond, has said that cuts to Overseas Development Aid (ODA) are costing lives around the world.

In a speech setting out Ireland’s overseas development strategy at the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin, Minister Richmond said: “At a time of increased conflict, in the face of humanitarian crises, cognisant of setbacks in global hunger and compounded by the existential threat of climate change, ODA is needed now more than ever.

“The international aid sector has been rocked by the decision by so many countries to cut overseas aid and development budgets.

“Already, we have estimates from those in the field that these funding cuts will cost tens of thousands of lives in the developing world as support for simple measures like malaria vaccinations, maternal health screening, HIV/AIDS treatments and funding for UN agencies like the World Food Programme all face very real funding shortfalls.

“Put bluntly, aid cuts are costing lives.

“That is why, in response, this year the Irish Government has provided the highest ever budget for the Irish Aid programme: €810 million, with a total Overseas Development Aid (ODA) commitment of €2.2 billion.

“Funding for overseas aid, is quite simply, the right thing to do but it also has real benefits for the taxpayer in Ireland. Issues such as rising food prices, energy insecurity and irregular migration have been dominating Irish political discourse for years. All these issues stem from global instability.

“By investing in overseas aid, we are addressing these concerning issues at source, however, we are also saving lives and improving the livelihoods of the most vulnerable.

“Not only will we maintain our international development budget but we will continue to be a strong voice on the global stage for overseas development aid.”

ENDS

Press Office

29 May 2025

Link to IIEA event: Ireland’s International Development Programme in a Changing World | IIEA