Vol. 562 No. 1
187 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider using the ?317 million in unexpected savings on servicing the national debt by the National Treasury Management Agency for services for people with intellectual disabilities; and his views on whether this would end the waiting lists for good. [1031/03]
Total debt service expenditure in 2002 was €2,167 million. This was some €317 million below budget. This improvement contributed to the end year Exchequer surplus of €95 million. An Exchequer surplus automatically reduces our net debt and is not available for budgetary purposes in the following year. The question of provision for public services is a matter for consideration by the relevant Ministers in the first instance – in this instance the principal Ministers concerned are the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Education and Science.
