Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1149. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Social Protection the last occasion on which a Department-wide review of all funding within her Department took place; the frequency of such reviews; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40643/21]
View answerThe Department administers schemes funded from the Exchequer through Vote 37 and schemes funded through the Social Insurance Fund (SIF). The Department reviews the funding required on an ongoing basis, including:
1. Each month, the Department reviews and estimates the actual expenditure for all schemes and subheads, for the Exchequer Statement published by the Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform;
2. A detailed review of expenditure for each subhead to inform the Pre-Budget estimate of the Department's expenditure for the following year is carried out in Quarter 3 each year;
3. The funding of the SIF is reviewed on an ongoing basis, having regard to trends in PRSI receipts and expenditure on SIF schemes. During periods when the SIF is in deficit, as is the case currently, the Department reviews the amount of Subvention required from the Exchequer, based on ongoing expenditure on SIF schemes;
4. As the year progresses, the Department reviews estimated outturn on all schemes against the original estimates voted by the Dáil. If overall expenditure is likely to exceed the funding provided by the Dáil, a Supplementary Estimate is sought.
