Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 January 2017
370. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2017 and on a 12-month basis to his Department of bringing forward the increases due under the Lansdowne Road agreement from September to April; the way in which this cost will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2945/17]
View answerThe additional cost arising from the Government Decision in relation to the Lansdowne Road Agreement is €120 million. The required funds will need to be met from available public resources taking into account the scope for reallocation of expenditure while also ensuring that core public services are not adversely impacted as a result of this decision.
The extent to which Departments are in a position to meet this additional cost will only be determined later in the year. The Government will monitor the position closely and will consider how best to meet any additional funding requirements where the need arises. However, given that this additional cost represents 0.2 per cent of total gross voted current expenditure, most Departments should be in a position to absorb additional costs arising from this decision. As reported in the end-December Exchequer returns, gross voted current expenditure for 2016 finished c. 0.2 per cent behind profile.
