Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 July 2014
58. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the revised headline and underlying ex-banking measures of the general Government deficit as a percentage of GDP for each year from 2010 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30660/14]
View answerThe most recent data in relation to the general government balance figures for the periods 2010-2014 and 2013-2018 are available in the 'March 2014 EDP' publication (available on the CSO and Eurostat websites) and the April 2014 'Stability Programme Update' publication respectively. As per the deputy's query the headline and underlying balance figures (under an ESA 95 basis) in relation to the years 2010-2013 are as follows:
|
- |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
General government balance (% GDP) |
-30.6% |
-13.1% |
-8.2% |
-7.2% |
|
Underlying general government balance (% GDP) |
-10.6% |
-8.9% |
-8.2% |
-7.2% |
However, under an update in the methodology used in the production of national accounts, which encompasses a change from ESA 95 to ESA 2010, there have been revisions to the approach taken in the compilation of certain items including the method of calculation of GDP. These changes have since been reflected in the most recent figures published by the CSO in their 'National Income and Expenditure (NIE)' annual results 2013. A full breakdown of government finance statistics under ESA 2010 will be published by the CSO in July 2014 as part of their quarterly release of this data.
