Overseas aid is one of the few areas to show an increase in the Estimates, writes Paul Cullen.
However, the projected overall rise of €30 million leaves the Government even further off its stated commitment to increase spending to United Nations targets.
Ireland's spending on overseas development aid will rise to €450 million in 2003, up from about €420 million this year. Most of this is spent by the Department of Foreign Affairs, whose aid allocation has risem from €340 million this year to €373 million next year.
Cuts in marine spending defended
Cutbacks in marine spending have been defended by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, writes Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent.
However, the Irish Marine Federation has said it is "shattered" that some €26 million promised under the National Development Plan for marine infrastructure has been effectively withdrawn.
Student summer jobs scheme is ended
The students summer job scheme is to be discontinued in its present format, writes Eithne Donnellan.
The scheme, which came into operation in 1992, replaced the system where students were eligible for unemployment assistance during the summer. It was means-tested and allowed students to work a set number of hours every summer for set rates of pay.