Madam, – Your Editorial (September 7th) highlights the direct impact that the reduction of our country’s overseas aid budget is having on the lives of the poorest of the poor.
The McCarthy report has put forward proposals for initial reductions in public service numbers of over 17,300 (inclusive of reductions of around 6,000 in the health sector). At the same time we learn of the staffing reductions in our aid agencies due to funding shortfalls. Perhaps it is time to take a more innovative look at our national commitment to overseas development and how we spend our overseas aid budget.
Were 10 per cent of the 17,300 posts (or .54 per cent of the total public service) identified by the McCarthy group as being surplus to current requirements facilitated in operating in a structured overseas aid capacity, this would have the effect of diverting €88 million to the overseas aid budget.
Developing countries, and particularly those with whom Ireland has had a long association, typically lack resources in public services and administration. By facilitating a system whereby individuals across the spectrum of the public service could share their talents and experience in a structured manner in developing countries, Ireland could contribute in a more meaningful way to the poorest of the poor. – Yours, etc,