The recently retired Progressive Democrat TD, Mr Des O'Malley, is to be appointed chairman of a new body to monitor the €340 million a year overseas aid budget.
The former Minister of State for development co-operation, Ms Liz O'Donnell, approached Mr O'Malley about becoming chairman of the Advisory Board of Ireland Aid (ABIA) before she stepped down last month.
Her successor, Fianna Fáil's Mr Tom Kitt, is expected to announce Mr O'Malley's appointment and that of eight board members shortly.
Mr O'Malley (63) retired as a TD at the last election, after 34 years in the Dáil.
The founder and former leader of the PDs, he is also a former chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee for Foreign Affairs.
A review of the Ireland Aid programme published in March recommended the setting up of an advisory board to "maximise the quality, effectiveness and accountability" of the expanding aid budget. The Government agreed to implement the finding shortly afterwards.
ABIA will advise the Minister of State on the direction of the aid programme and the implementation of policy. As well as organising regular reviews of the way we spend aid money overseas, it is charged with organising a development forum.
The forum, which is expected to meet once or twice a year, will bring together aid agencies and missionary groups with Government officials for discussions on development issues.
As part of its expansion, Ireland Aid plans to spend more money in promoting itself. The recent review acknowledged that the general public tends to believe that emergency and development work is carried out in the Third Word by aid agencies and missionaries, when much of the funding comes from the State.
Mr Rory Coveney, a brother of the Fine Gael TD, Mr Simon Coveney, has been appointed press and information officer for Ireland Aid. Other measure being contemplated are the creation of a dedicated website, greater promotion of the programme in the media and the establishment of an information office for the public in Dublin.
As part of a general cutbacks, the Government reduced this year's budget for overseas aid by €32 million. Although the overall budget is still rising, the cut means that the Government will fail to meet its own target for increasing aid by the end of this year.
