Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Estimates.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

24 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to introduce a new procedure for the presentation and examination of Estimates in Dáil Eireann, which would be more meaningful and more timely; and his proposals in this area. [30121/03]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

The Estimates are presented by me to Dáil Éireann in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dáil in the year to which they relate. I normally present the pre-budget or Abridged Estimates to Dáil Éireann about two weeks before budget day. The post-budget or revised Estimates are normally presented to the Dáil within eight weeks of the start of the fiscal year to which they relate. Once the revised Estimates are presented to the Dáil and referred to the relevant committees, it is a matter for each committee to decide when the Estimates should be considered.

My Department is currently chairing an interdepartmental steering committee and working group on a pilot project which is examining ways of improving the links between departmental strategy statements, business planning and resource allocation and performance measurement with a view to producing a co-ordinated business-budget plan at the outset of a year and an annual report and accounts at the end of the year. Spending Departments involved in the pilot project are the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Social and Family Affairs and Transport. The results of this pilot will be evaluated and consideration will be given as to whether this approach should be mainstreamed across other Departments. If it is considered that the pilot project should be further developed and mainstreamed, I will bring proposals to Government and to the public accounts committee, which has a duty under Dáil Standing Orders to consider any significant changes to the format of the Estimates. I expect that the pilot project working group will furnish its draft report by end-May next year.

In my recent Budget Statement, I announced a major change in the financial treatment of capital spending through the introduction of rolling five year multi-annual envelopes for all capital investment areas. In implementing the new envelope system I intend to allow Departments to carry over to the following year any unspent Exchequer capital allocations, up to a maximum of 10% of each annual capital subhead. This carry-over facility, which will take effect from financial year 2004, should significantly assist in the better planning and execution of those projects which span a number of years.

The 2003 public capital programme included more project level information. My Department will seek to build on these presentational improvements in the 2004 public capital programme in light of the project-programme level reporting arrangements which it is proposed to put in place as part of the new capital envelopes system.