Budget 2015: IDEA Response

Halt to Aid Cuts Welcome but Government Urged to Clarify Long-Term Aid Plan and Invest More in Public Awareness of Global Development

2015 a key year for Ireland’s involvement in global development.

Irish development education organisations have welcomed the Government announcement in Budget 2015 that cuts to Ireland’s aid programme have halted.  IDEA, the Irish Development Education Association, a national platform for NGOs and educators committed to education for global justice, is also urging the Government to sustain Ireland’s solidarity with developing countries and to outline a clear timeline for reaching the promise agreed by Ireland in front of World Leaders in 2000: to donate 0.7% of our Gross National Income (GNI) to Overseas Development.

“Ireland’s overseas development programme tackles the root causes of poverty and inequality. We welcome the stabilisation in ODA but if we want to achieve social justice at home and abroad, the government must put Ireland back on track to meet our commitment to the world’s poorest people and meet our target of 0.7% of GNI,” stated IDEA Director, Frank Geary.

2015 is a key year for Global Development with important decisions being made on Climate Change and the formation of a new set of Sustainable Development Goals. These decisions will affect Irish people. IDEA urges the Government to do more to engage the Irish public in critical discussion of, and involvement in, these global decisions. Ireland has historically been seen as a leader on the global stage in the area of overseas development. Recent public opinion surveys show that three quarters of Irish people remain committed to overseas aid in spite of our current circumstances. There is a strong consensus that Ireland has an obligation to invest in overseas aid. [1]

15/10/2014 Dublin.

Notes

The statement in the Budget is as follows: “For 2015, some €476 million is being provided through the International Cooperation Vote of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Combined with our share of the EU Development Cooperation Vote, and contributions from other Government Departments, this will bring our overall Official Development Assistance to some €600 million.” Source: http://budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2015/EstimateStatement.aspx#section10.5

The United Nations will meet to agree on a set of Sustainable Development Goals to replace the Millennium Development Goals which were agreed in 2000 and are due to have been achieved by 2015. The Climate Change Summit to be held in September in Paris will seek to achieve binding emissions limits to halt the impacts of Climate Change.For more on the UN SD Goals see: http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300


[1] July 2014 Ipsos MRBI Poll with 1,000 Irish people. 75% of respondents agree that people in Ireland have an obligation to invest in overseas aid, even in times of economic recession. http://bit.ly/MRBIResults

August 11, 2025
Budget 2026: Investing in Global Citizenship Education is Investing in Global Solidarity “Ireland has received international recognition for its development education strategies… Without additional investment, we cannot seize the opportunity to turn development-aware children into development-aware adults.” - OECD DAC Peer Review of Ireland Read IDEA’s full Pre-Budget 2026 submission here . For over half a century, Ireland has invested in Global Citizenship Education (GCE), enabling people across the island to explore complex issues such as climate justice, human rights, and equality - and to take informed action for a more just and sustainable world. Between 2021 and 2024, €33.6 million was invested in programmes reaching over 1.2 million people, helping to embed GCE across schools, communities, and other learning spaces. This investment has made Ireland a European and global leader in the field. But in today’s turbulent context - with rising disinformation, polarisation, climate emergencies, and deepening inequalities - the need for GCE has never been greater. As Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, told the IDEA Annual Conference in May 2025: “Now is the time to focus on the hard issues… These are among the greatest challenges of our time.” Why Now? Budget 2026 comes at a critical moment. Ireland is: Running out of time to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Preparing a new national GCE strategy for the next five years. Operating in a global context where democratic values, human rights, and multilateral cooperation are under unprecedented strain. The OECD has commended Ireland’s strong GCE strategies but has also warned that without additional investment, we risk falling short on SDG Target 4.7 - ensuring all learners acquire the knowledge and skills to promote sustainable development. Our Key Budget 2026 Asks:  Increase investment in GCE Move towards the widely recognised target of 3% of Official Development Assistance (ODA), using a cross-departmental approach and accounting for inflation. Current spending is 1.2% of ODA - far below the €26 million annually needed to reach the 3% target. Boost GCE/ESD funding under “ESD to 2030” Provide adequate and dedicated funding for projects led by organisations, schools, and higher education institutions to ensure the successful delivery of the Second National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development. Create dedicated GCE/ESD funding lines Integrate and resource GCE/ESD within the SDG National Implementation Plan, Climate Action Plan, and National Action Plan Against Racism, recognising that climate justice and anti-racism are core components of global citizenship. Increase Ireland’s ODA Commit to a €300 million increase in Budget 2026 to make tangible progress towards the UN target of spending 0.7% of GNI on ODA by 2030. Adopt Coalition 2030 recommendations Implement budget measures that ensure resources reach those furthest behind first, and align budget lines with specific SDG targets. Beyond Funding – Policy Coherence and Decent Work In addition to resourcing, GCE requires stronger coordination across government departments and better integration into policies, institutions, and networks. GCE practitioners must also have secure, decent working conditions in line with SDG 8, ensuring that expertise is retained within the sector. The Opportunity for Ireland Ireland is respected globally for its principled, values-based approach to international development. By investing in GCE now, we can: Strengthen civic trust, participation, and resilience in our society. Equip citizens to navigate complex global challenges. Ensure Ireland remains a strong, independent voice for justice, solidarity, and human rights on the world stage. Budget 2026 is our opportunity to protect the progress made, scale up impact, and deliver on our commitments. IDEA and our members are ready to work with Irish Aid and across government to ensure Ireland continues to lead with integrity, foresight, and global solidarity. _______________________________________________________ Read IDEA’s full Pre-Budget 2026 submission here to explore our recommendations in detail and see how, together, we can strengthen Global Citizenship Education in Ireland and beyond.
Smme
August 2, 2025
Catch-up on a Summer of Learning!
July 24, 2025
IDEA invites tender submissions from interested auditing service suppliers to provide auditing and associated professional services to the organisation from the year ending 31 December 2025. IDEA is seeking to engage an experienced auditing service firm that will provide the full range of auditing services required to fulfil its statutory obligations, to comply with relevant accounting and reporting standards and best practice. All submissions to be made to sal@ideaonline.ie You can find the full details here. The deadline for the application is Monday, 11 August, 5pm .