Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2020
136. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the main aspects of the benefits accruing to the well-being of the economy through the influence of expenditure and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3113/20]
View answer139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the degree to which he remains satisfied that the targets of his Department will continue to remain on course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3116/20]
View answer140. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects public expenditure and reform to remain and play an important role in the economic progress of the country in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3117/20]
View answer142. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he is of the view public expenditure and reform need to remain part of economic and fiscal strategy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3119/20]
View answer144. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if changes in public expenditure and reform are required in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3121/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 139, 140, 142 and 144 together.
The improvement in economic conditions over the last number of years has enabled the Government to increase investment in public services. Priority has been given to additional funding in the areas of infrastructure, education, childcare and health. This investment delivers on immediate social and economic needs while also providing sustained longer-term benefits to the State. Strong growth in capital spending is a notable feature of the recovery in public spending. This investment has centred on key areas such as social housing, transport and schools and is reflective of the Government’s goal of delivering growth-enhancing investment in conjunction with sustainable progress on social priorities.
Recent fiscal policy has been based on implementing sustainable growth in expenditure that remains affordable over the medium term. In supporting this position, the Government has strived to ensure that public services are delivered in the most efficient and effective way possible. To this end, a number of reforms have been put in place in recent years, including the Performance Budgeting Initiative, the Equality Budgeting Initiative, the National Economic Dialogue and the Spending Review.
It is crucial that this approach is maintained in the medium term in order to mitigate against emerging risks in the domestic and global economy. In light of this, it is imperative that both current and capital expenditure is managed within profile this year by all Government Departments.
The Update to the Medium Term Fiscal Strategy published by the Department of Finance on 9th January set out fiscal projections to 2025. The strategy underpinning these projections is focussed on delivering General Government surpluses that would act as the first line of defence against potential risks to the economy and public finances.
Within this Fiscal framework it is imperative that sustainable expenditure policies, that continue to deliver improvements in public services and infrastructure, are pursued to support the well-being of the overall Irish economy and continued economic and social progress.
