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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014

Wednesday, 26 February 2014

Questions (17, 103, 108)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied that expenditure targets in respect of all Departments remain in line with projections for the current year and subsequently; if he has identified any deviations from these targets in any particular area of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9403/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which each Department remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of its respective budgets for the current and future years; if he has identified areas of over or under expenditure which might jeopardise the attainment of targets throughout the particular Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9952/14]

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Bernard Durkan

Question:

108. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which it is expected that each Department and-or State and semi-State body can maintain its expenditure targets for the current year having particular regard to previous experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9957/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 103 and 108 together.

Gross voted expenditure has been reduced from its peak of €63.1 billion in 2009 to €54.6 billion in 2013.  This represents a reduction of approximately 13.5 per cent between 2009 and 2013.  Estimated voted expenditure for 2014 will be in the region of €53 billion with a targeted General Government deficit of 4.8 per cent.

The consolidation measures this Government has introduced have ensured Ireland's successful exit from the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland.  This has been delivered through the efforts of all Departments and their agencies to seek savings, pursue efficiencies, and manage within constrained budgets, often while meeting increasing demands for the public services they deliver.

While the provision and costs of public services remain the responsibility of the relevant Ministers and their Departments, my Department has introduced measures to help ensure that expenditure targets continue to be met and that public expenditure remains sustainable. The Medium Term Expenditure Framework, with three year ceilings for Ministerial Vote Groups, has been placed on a statutory footing with the enactment of the Minister and Secretaries Amendment Act 2013. This provides greater clarity and certainty about expenditure allocations and allows for structural, medium-term planning and prioritisation within each area.  My Department is in regular communication with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being controlled and we monitor their drawdown of funds from the Exchequer against the published expenditure profiles. The expenditure profiles for 2014 will be published this month. Where necessary, my Department meets regularly with line Departments to review financial management and the extent to which expenditure remains in line with projections.  There is regular reporting to Government on these matters, and we publish information monthly as part of the Exchequer Statement.

On 14 January, my Department published a new Public Service Reform Plan, covering the period 2014 to 2016. The new Reform Plan includes more than 200 actions, with clear time lines for delivery.  The implementation of the new Reform Plan, alongside the measures introduced to enhance expenditure management, will enable this Government build a new Public Service that is focused on protecting and improving public services while remaining within the Government's overall expenditure targets.

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