General Government Debt

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 June 2014

Wednesday, 4 June 2014

Questions (34)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

34. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide an estimate for the general Government deficit in 2015 on the basis of no new discretionary changes in public expenditure and Government revenue in budget 2015. [23749/14]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

The most recent fiscal forecasts were contained in the Stability Programme Update published in April.  The forecast for 2015 is predicated on a consolidation package of €2.0bn which has been well flagged over recent years and represents no change in stated Government policy.  This is estimated to deliver a general government deficit of 2.9% of GDP.

However, I would state that there remains a lot of moving parts, and the most up to date economic and fiscal information will be used in deciding the adjustment package necessary closer to Budget time.