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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 8

Written Answers. - Revision of Vote Classification.

Batt O'Keeffe

Question:

48 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance the proposals, if any, he has to revise and update the vote classification of the supply services. [3419/97]

The vote classification of expenditure on supply services, as published in the annual Book of Estimates, reflects the ministerial-departmental allocation of functions and responsibilities at the time. The vote or supply estimates are the basis of the statutory authority for the appropriation of money to meet most expenditure by Government Departments and certain related bodies.

I have no immediate plans to revise or update the existing vote presentation. However, there are a number of developments in relation to the Government's programme of financial reforms under the Strategic Management Initiative which, in due course, may involve some changes in the existing vote presentation of supply services. In particular, the move to a multi-annual budgeting, which I announced in my 1996 budget and which was further developed in this year's budget, may require some revision in the way in which the supply estimates are presented. Also, developments in relation to accrual accounting will involve changes in the traditional cash-based presentation of Departmental expenditure.
I would emphasise, however, that for legal reasons it will not be possible to move away completely from the traditional cash-based presentation of the supply estimates. The type of changes which may emanate from the Government's financial management reform programme would be additions to rather than replacements of the existing vote accounting system.
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