Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013

Tuesday, 12 November 2013

Questions (337)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

337. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the reason that current net voted expenditure in his Department was €32 million behind profile at the end of October 2013; if he expects this underspend to continue to the end of 2013; if any unspent allocation will be available for any other programmes in 2013; if he anticipates that any underspend in 2013 will be greater than the level of cuts his Department made in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47908/13]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

Current expenditure on the Defence Vote is lower than profiled at the end of October 2013. However, there are significant spending commitments for the remainder of the year. In addition, the Army Pensions Vote will require a supplementary estimate of some €10m. It is expected that this will be offset by savings on the Defence Vote.

Overall, it is not expected that, when taken together, there will be any significant underspend on the Defence and Army Pensions Votes by year-end.