Vol. 553 No. 5
192 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Finance if Government spending and revenue is currently on target in accordance with budgetary projections; if any immediate action is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14681/02]
At budget time, the forecast for the 2002 Exchequer balance was for a surplus of €170 million. This is still the target although it may be achieved by a lower revenue performance than forecast offset by savings and other receipts not available at budget time, including lower than expected EU budget contribution and the proceeds of the sale of ACC Bank.
The most recent figures for Exchequer receipts and expenditure were those for the period to 31 May 2002 published on the Department's website on 5 June, which show a surplus of €56 million for the period to end-May.
While the performance of individual tax and non-tax subheads will vary, receipts should improve in particular as the full impact of the budget revenue-raising measures is felt. Similarly, there are different levels of spending to date this year by different Departments. Notwithstanding these timing issues, there are pressures on expenditure in some areas such as demand led schemes in the health area, capital expenditure on national roads and prison officer overtime, for which additional funding will be provided. Departments have been required by Government to take appropriate measures to ensure that expenditures are controlled over the remainder of the year and to make appropriate adjustments to ensure that the final overall outturn for expenditure will come in line with the original plan for the year as a whole. This is a normal procedure following a mid-year review of trends to date.
