Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Questions (1133)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

1133. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12271/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Deputy is aware the Virement process enables Government Departments to use savings on subheads within their Vote to offset overspends on other subheads within the Vote.

My Department engages in continuous dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the Health budget, including flagging any possible Virements that may be required.

Please see attached the final Virement requests from my Department to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the years 2020 and 2021. Also attached is the provisional Virement request for 2022. A final Virement request for 2022 will be made when the Appropriation Account for Vote 38 is finalised.

Virement requests 2020

Virement requests 2021

provisional Virement request for 2022