Departmental Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Questions (226)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

226. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport 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. [12279/23]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

From time to time the Department may seek to move funds between subheads, in a process known as virement, should over or underspends arise in subheads as the year progresses. Where underspends are concerned, the purpose is generally to maximise investment of the budget during the year, if investment opportunities arise elsewhere within the budget that are aligned with the Department's strategic goals. Where overspends are concerned, virements are to ensure that the overall budget is balanced, may reduce the need for a supplementary, and guard against the risk of an overspend on the overall budget, or "Excess Vote".

There have been circa 27 virements, or movement of funds between subheads, in the Transport budget since Minister Ryan took office. The Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) confirmed sanction of the full 2020 list of virements on 20th May 2021 and the 2021 virements on the 24th March 2022. The 2022 list of virements is currently with DPENDR for sanction.