Joint Committee on Budgetary Oversight to meet with the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure on the Annual Progress Report 2025

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House between 15:00-17:30.

The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Jack Chambers will appear at the Committee.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Richard O’Donoghue said: "We welcome the opportunity to hear from both Ministers on the Annual Progress Report 2025. Since 2024, the European Union implemented a new fiscal framework designed to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability and greater transparency in public finances. The revised rules aim to ensure responsible fiscal management while supporting investment and economic resilience. Each Member State is required to submit a multi-year expenditure plan for approval by the European Commission.”

“This measure helps assess the underlying fiscal position of each EU Member State by focusing on spending directly controlled by policy decisions. These plans are binding and can only be revised in the event of a change in government.”

“Ireland submitted its first Medium-Term Fiscal and Structural Plans (MTP) in October 2024 and a revised MTP will be submitted later in 2025 to align with the commitments outlined in the new Programme for Government.”

“The Annual Progress Report (APR) focuses on actual expenditure outcomes (compared to planned expenditure), progress on reforms and country-specific recommendations.”

“The APR includes an annex outlining Ireland’s progress on key structural reforms under its Medium-Term Plan, focusing on nine core areas: Housing, Climate Change, Digital Transition, Enterprise, Labour Market, Social Inclusion, Healthcare and Public Finances.”

“As the economic forecasts included in the APR were prepared in March 2025 and assume no introduction of transatlantic tariffs, we welcome the opportunity to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the Irish economy in the year ahead.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.