Irish gov to spend a bilion on African aid

[lynchbhoy]

I am not sure how much we had committed to spending on aid to the third world/underdeveloped countries etc - seem to recall that it was a percentage of GDP?

Anyhow, I heard yesterday that there was a bilion euros being allocated by Mr Cowen and the Gov to this proj - mostly for Africa.

While this is a great idea, I have to say given the state of our health service and a few other items of concern in Ireland, I would much rather see a large portion of this money spent wisely here...

Plus I think , having heard accounts of how aid money is misappropriated into the pockets of the not-so-needy in Africa etc, we might be better sending less and having our own people conduct the doling out of food/aid/medicine/clothes etc

anyone have an opinion on this or more/better info than I have...

[Star Spangler]

I have to say given the state of our health service and a few other items of concern in Ireland

Sorry, I don't see the correlation between African aid and the state of our health service.  The one thing our Health Service doesn't lack is financial investment!

having heard accounts of how aid money is misappropriated into the pockets of the not-so-needy in Africa etc,

As above!!

Ireland is already investing the highest proportion of national income in public investment in medical facilities among OECD countries. The most recent OECD data show that in 2004, we invested 0.6% of GNP (0.5% of GDP) in medical facilities, the highest level alongside Norway. Most other countries invest half that proportion of national income or less.

[Zapatista]

Don't worry as it actuallt is an investment.

[lynchbhoy]

I have to say given the state of our health service and a few other items of concern in Ireland

Sorry, I don't see the correlation between African aid and the state of our health service.  The one thing our Health Service doesn't lack is financial investment!

having heard accounts of how aid money is misappropriated into the pockets of the not-so-needy in Africa etc,

As above!!

Ireland is already investing the highest proportion of national income in public investment in medical facilities among OECD countries. The most recent OECD data show that in 2004, we invested 0.6% of GNP (0.5% of GDP) in medical facilities, the highest level alongside Norway. Most other countries invest half that proportion of national income or less.

a few quid is required to reform the health service, THEN the money allocatedtowards it would be of value.
Right now, until the proper procedures and structure is implemented, its throwing money down a bottomless pit

the health service is just an example.
Infrastructure and many other things need improving, money is being thrown at many things , but the planning, structure and brainpower required to make them work and efficiency in doing so - is not there.
These things prob require money.

imo we should send our people over to distribute the aid , rather than handing over to corrupt governments/agencies etc

but need to put our own house in order before doing this.
Report in todays paper that more or less all (or vastpercentage) of homless shelters are not up to scratch for example....

[Zapatista]

but the planning, structure and brainpower required to make them work and efficiency in doing so - is not there.
These things prob require money.

Sorry to go off topic but-

I disagee.  These things are there. We are an educated people. What is not there is the will to do it for the betterment of the Country as a whole.

[lynchbhoy]

but the planning, structure and brainpower required to make them work and efficiency in doing so - is not there.
These things prob require money.

Sorry to go off topic but-
I disagee.  These things are there. We are an educated people. What is not there is the will to do it for the betterment of the Country as a whole.

you are correct, the brainpower is there ...but as it is not being used to re-structure this, it may as well not be there at all...

[nifan]

I agree with lynchboy in terms of Irish aid agencies should be in control of the money, deciding on its usage, and ensuring the supplies etc get to the people who actually need it, rather than allocating it to a group there and hoping the will see that the money is used as intended.

[Zapatista]

I agree with lynchboy in terms of Irish aid agencies should be in control of the money, deciding on its usage, and ensuring the supplies etc get to the people who actually need it, rather than allocating it to a group there and hoping the will see that the money is used as intended.

To be honest I don't think Irish Govenment appointed agencies can be trusted in Africa with our money anymore than those who are controling the funds at present. We are barely able to watch them in Drumcondra never mind Africa.

[lynchbhoy]

whatever about our own people being corrupt and embezzling, these guys are in the ha'penny place in comparison to some of these 'aid agencies' as NI fan says - and I agree with him 

[ziggysego]

Is that Euros, Dollars or Pounds?