Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 July 2018
108. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the interaction with the main spending Departments; the Departments that are close to profile in 2018; the Departments that are below or above their budget 2018 expenditure profiles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29012/18]
View answerEffective management of expenditure is a key responsibility of each Government Minister and Department. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is in regular contact with Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters and there is reporting to Government on expenditure levels. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against published expenditure profiles and this information is published each month with the Exchequer Statement.
As set out in the May Fiscal Monitor, published by the Department of Finance, overall gross voted expenditure by Departments to end-May 2018 was €24,099 million. This was €276 million, or 1.1%, below profile and an increase of €1,712 million, or 7.6%, on the same period in 2017.
Gross voted current expenditure of €22,671 million was broadly on profile, and up €1,496 million year-on-year. Ten of the 17 Vote groups were at or below profile on current expenditure. Gross current expenditure of €6,304 million by the Health Vote was €67 million, or 1.1%, ahead of profile. Gross voted current expenditure of €8.165 million by the Employment Affairs and Social Protection Vote was €25 million, or 0.3%, above profile. The Justice Vote group was €34 million, or 3.4%, ahead of profile, with gross voted current expenditure of €1,029 million. This overrun relates primarily to Garda pay. Four other Votes were slightly above profile on current expenditure: Housing, Planning and Local Government; Education and Skills; Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Transport, Tourism and Sport. The Public Expenditure and Reform group was on profile for current expenditure.
Gross voted capital expenditure of €1,429 was €285 million, or 16.6%, below profile at end-May and up €216 million, or 17.8%, year-on-year. All 16 Vote groups with capital expenditure are below profile. The main driver of this underspend is the Housing, Planning and Local Government Vote, which is €157 million, or 35.4%, below profile. This is largely due to timing issues relating to payments to Irish Water. It is anticipated that these payments will be drawn down in the coming months and expenditure will revert to profile.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform will continue to engage with all other Government Departments throughout the year in relation to expenditure management.
