The Mid-Year Expenditure Report, published in July, sets out the Pre-Budget Ceiling for the Department of Social Protection for 2018. The amount included in this ceiling reflects certain demographic pressures primarily relating to the state pension and anticipated savings from reductions in expenditure on the Live Register. As part of the Budget Estimates process, the forecast of changes in Live Register-related expenditure and changes in other Social Protection scheme expenditure is subject to reassessment. This assessment is ongoing and will be considered in the context of the preparation of the Estimates for 2018. Where any savings are identified, such savings could be used to meet any emerging spending pressures without impacting on fiscal space.