Oxfam welcomes €110m increase in aid budget and commitment to transparent, sustainable and legitimate corporate tax system

Aid agency calls for gender analysis of Budget 2019 and future budgets

Reacting to Budget 2019, Oxfam Ireland Chief Executive Jim Clarken said: 

“Ireland made a commitment to spend 70 cent in every €100 on aid by 2030. Today's announcement of an increase of €110million for the aid budget - bringing it to its highest level in a decade after years of decline - shows strong commitment to delivering on this promise.

“Investing in saving and transforming the lives of people affected by poverty and disaster is not only the right thing to do but it is good for Ireland, supporting peace, stability and development. 

“We welcome the Government's commitment to a transparent, sustainable and legitimate corporate tax system, including their planned review and update of Ireland's transfer pricing rules. 

“Rising inequality is destroying people's lives and makes it impossible to find lasting solutions to global poverty. To end this - at home and overseas - the Government must do more to reform Ireland's corporate tax rules and ensure big businesses and wealthy are paying their fair share of taxes where they pay profit.

“With some increases to social spending, we would like to see a gender analysis of this  budget and all future budgets to ensure that women are positively impacted. Women rely more on part-time work, public services and deliver more unpaid care than men - budget decisions must support them." 

ENDS

CONTACT: Spokespeople are available. For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: 

Alice Dawson-Lyons, Oxfam Ireland: alice.dawsonlyons@oxfam.org or +353 (0) 83 198 1869