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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019

Tuesday, 5 March 2019

Questions (61)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

61. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a review has been carried out into monitoring systems for capital and current expenditure across Government in which there has also been a review of his Department’s invigilation of these expenditures; the changes in procedure following such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10484/19]

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Written answers

Managing the delivery of public services within allocations and meeting our budgetary targets forms a key part of the responsibilities of every Minister and Department. My own Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters.

Monthly expenditure profiles for each Government Department for 2019 were recently published and included in the February Fiscal Monitor. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored throughout the year and reported on against profile on a monthly basis in the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance.

A public investment management assessment (PIMA) mission to Ireland was undertaken by the IMF in July 2017, which assessed our management of public capital resources compared with what would be expected in an advanced economy. Its final report was published on my Department's website on 10 November 2017.

The PIMA report concluded that, overall, Ireland manages its public infrastructure relatively well.

It highlights both strengths and weaknesses and contains a number of recommendations to improve future performance in terms of the efficiency of public capital investment. The national development plan, published in February 2018, sets out planned improvements for the management of capital spend, drawing in particular on the 2017 PIMA report.

A number of reforms were implemented in 2018 based on the PIMA recommendations in order to ensure the efficient, coordinated and timely implementation of Project Ireland 2040. In particular, an Investment Projects and Programmes Office (IPPO) has been established in the Department to support the implementation of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and drive strengthened business case and project appraisal. In this context, and in the context of the ongoing rollout and delivery of Project Ireland 2040, my Department is also conducting a review of the provisions of the Public Spending Code, with a view to underpinning the focus upon value-for-money across all Departments and Offices in the appraisal, management and delivery of capital investment projects.

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