Overseas aid has been increased by €110 million in Budget 2019.
Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the increase brings Ireland's overseas development assistance to its highest level in ten years.
"At 0.31% of Gross National Income, this level of assistance represents a clear statement that this Government and the Irish people will not be found wanting in addressing some of the major humanitarian crises and development challenges our planet faces," Mr Donohoe said.
Trócaire has welcomed the increase in overseas aid.
The charity said the figure falls slightly short of yearly projections in keeping with the Programme for Government commitment of reaching the UN Overseas Development Aid target of 0.7% of Gross National Income by 2030, but it said it is a notable step in the right direction.
New Trócaire CEO Caoimhe de Barra said while the increase is indeed welcome, "Trócaire reiterates our call to develop a strategy towards fully reaching the 0.7% target".
Aid agency Concern has commended the Government's biggest year-on-year increase in spending on official development assistance since 2006.
Concern's Chief Executive, Dominic MacSorley said at a time when the poorest parts of the world are facing unprecedented levels of conflict, hunger and human suffering, these additional resources are urgently needed.
