Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 May 2023
7. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the number of times Government departments have requested additional funds from his Department since he took office; and the names of the departments, the amounts requested, and the purpose of the funding. [21597/23]
View answerAllocations to each Vote are decided as part of the Estimates process each year. Following publication of the Summer Economic Statement, the Secretary General of my Department writes to all other Departments requesting proposals for the upcoming Budget, including where they consider additional funding is required. These requests are then assessed as part of preparations for the Budget. Available resources are allocated as part of the Budget announced annually by the Minister with the detailed spending plans set out in the Revised Estimates (REV).
Managing expenditure within the voted allocations in the REV is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister, with careful monitoring of spending against profile and of progress on programmes and projects required. My Department is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices regarding their actual and projected spending, including areas where there may be potential cost overruns and offsetting savings that might be available for reallocation. Where savings identified are not sufficient to cover the cost of additional demands arising within a Vote, a Supplementary Estimate may be required to provide additional funds.
Expenditure developments during 2022 led to the additional allocation of €7.7 billion in Supplementary Estimates across 24 Votes to meet costs in relation to Covid-19; Cost of Living measures; humanitarian supports for those arriving from Ukraine; and the Building Momentum Pay Agreement extension. These were reflected in the Appropriation Act 2022.
To date this year, the Oireachtas has twice been asked to provide additional funding for Votes above the amount in the REV. Firstly, a €30 million allocation to the Department of Rural and Community Development to establish a Community Solidarity and Recognition Fund in recognition of the contribution of communities in welcoming significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and/or International Protection Applicants. Secondly, Further Revised Estimates were afforded in the Housing, Local Government and Heritage Group to establish Tailte Éireann, and the Electoral Commission required an additional €10 million due to changed accounting treatment of income.
Where additional demands are raised by Departments they will be continue to be assessed in the context of any potential offsetting savings within the Vote as part of the usual Estimates process, including as part of Budget 2024. If it is determined additional allocations are required, Supplementary Estimates reflecting this will be brought to Government and the Dáil for approval.
