Vol. 510 No. 4
66 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the most recent figures available in relation to 1999 voted current expenditure; the way this is consistent with the Government's stated expenditure targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22693/99]
In my statement on the end-September Exchequer returns, I indicated that Exchequer issues for net current voted expenditure to the end of September 1999 had increased by 8.8 per cent over the same period last year. This compared with a budget target increase of 10 per cent. The 10 per cent budget target increase in net current voted expenditure was consistent with the Government's commitment to limit the increase in total net current spending to 4 per cent per annum on average. Total net current spending comprises net voted current expenditure and central fund services.
The end-October Exchequer statement indicated that a current and capital breakdown of voted expenditure is available only at the end of each quarter. However, my Department tentatively estimates that the increase in net voted current expenditure at end-October 1999 over the same period in 1998 was 9.7 per cent.
In my end-September statement, I indicated that there are continuing pressures on current spending in certain areas such as pay, health, education and agriculture. These are partially offset by savings on social welfare and other spending. I said that, on present trends it is expected that net current voted expenditure will be over £100 million above the budget target at the end of the year, although further savings may emerge later in the year. An excess of £100 million over budget as forecast at end-September would imply an increase in net voted current expenditure of 11 per cent in 1999 over 1998 compared with a budget target of 10 per cent.
The Estimates for 2000 will be published tomorrow and will show the latest forecast for voted current expenditure in 1999.
