Ireland’s Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, has warned that global cuts to overseas aid are endangering lives — while reaffirming Ireland’s commitment to sustaining and growing its own support.
In a speech delivered at the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA) in Dublin, Minister Richmond outlined Ireland’s overseas development priorities and condemned recent reductions in aid spending by other nations.
“At a time of escalating conflict, worsening humanitarian crises, and growing climate threats, Overseas Development Aid (ODA) is needed more than ever,” Richmond said. “We know from those on the ground that cuts to ODA are already threatening tens of thousands of lives — undermining support for malaria vaccinations, maternal health screenings, HIV/AIDS treatments, and essential UN agencies like the World Food Programme.”
He added starkly: “Put bluntly, aid cuts are costing lives.”
In contrast to the global trend, the Irish Government has allocated its largest ever aid budget. The 2024 Irish Aid programme will receive €810 million, with a total ODA commitment of €2.2 billion.
Richmond emphasized that development aid is not only morally right but serves Ireland’s own long-term interests: “Challenges such as food insecurity, rising energy costs, and irregular migration all stem from global instability. By investing in aid, we’re addressing these issues at the source while saving lives and improving conditions for the world’s most vulnerable.”
He concluded by affirming Ireland’s stance: “Not only will we maintain our international development budget, but we will continue to champion global support for overseas aid.”
