Most Irish believe overseas aid remains vital.

A MAJORITY of Irish people believe overseas aid remains important despite the State’s economic crisis, a new survey suggests.

The poll from Ipsos MRBI, commissioned by Dóchas, an umbrella group of more than 40 development organisations, found that 85 per cent of respondents rated overseas aid as “important” or “very important”. The findings mirror a similar survey conducted by Eurobarometer last year, which also found less than half of Irish people believe the Government should increase its overseas aid budget.