Press Release
October 6, 2026 • 3 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6 October 2026
GOAL welcomes continued investment in overseas development assistance as global aid budgets face significant cuts
GOAL welcomed today’s announcement of a €14 million increase in funding for International Cooperation in Budget 2027, bringing the total allocation to €855 million to provide life-saving humanitarian and development assistance through the Irish Aid programme.
The announcement comes as humanitarian and development funding is being cut in many countries, while millions of people continue to face conflict, hunger, displacement and the growing impact of climate change. This is particularly timely as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Jen Farrelly, CEO of GOAL, said:
“GOAL welcomes today’s increase in Ireland’s overseas development assistance. At a time when aid budgets are being cut around the world, Ireland’s continued commitment matters.
“Behind these figures are people trying to get through incredibly difficult circumstances. Our role is to be there when crisis hits, but also to work alongside communities as they recover, rebuild their livelihoods and become better able to face the next crisis. That is why continued investment in international aid matters.
“Irish Aid support helps GOAL respond when crisis hits, while also supporting communities to recover, strengthen the systems they rely on and be better prepared for future shocks.
“We see the difference this support makes every day. Continued investment means Ireland can keep making a practical difference in people’s lives while making progress towards its commitment to spend 0.7% of GNI on Official Development Assistance by 2030.”
Ireland’s commitment comes at an important time for international development, with the country well placed to encourage continued European investment in humanitarian and development assistance. It shows that Ireland remains serious about Official Development Assistance and committed to reaching those furthest behind.
Thanks to Irish Aid and the people of Ireland, GOAL teams reached almost 11 million people across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America in 2025.
ENDS
For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Jennifer Nolan
Director of Development and Communications
E: [email protected]
M: 086 393 6076
NOTES TO EDITORS
About GOAL
GOAL is an international humanitarian and development organisation founded in Ireland in 1977. GOAL works with communities affected by crisis, responding to immediate humanitarian needs while supporting recovery and longer-term resilience.
In 2025, GOAL teams reached over 10.8 million people in 17 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe.
GOAL’s Crisis to Resilience approach focuses on helping people respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, while strengthening the systems and services communities rely on and helping them become better prepared for future shocks.
GOAL and Irish Aid
GOAL is a long-standing partner of Irish Aid, the Government of Ireland’s international development programme.
Through Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World (ICSP) 2023–2027, Irish Aid supports GOAL programmes across long-term development, chronic and acute humanitarian crises, and Global Citizenship Education.
Irish Aid currently supports GOAL’s work in Colombia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Official Development Assistance
Official Development Assistance (ODA) is government aid designed to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.
Ireland has committed to reaching the United Nations target of allocating 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to ODA by 2030.
In 2025, Ireland provided €1.88 billion in ODA, equivalent to 0.44% of GNI.
