Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Nov 2002

Vol. 557 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Expenditure.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

130 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Finance the main features of the Memorandum to Government on economic and budgetary strategy 2003 and 2005; if further cutbacks or adjustments are to be sought from Departments in 2002; the projected level of spending for 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21276/02]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

While I am aware that elements of the memorandum for Government on economic and budgetary strategy 2003 to 2005 have been the subject of public comment following the recent inadvertent release of Government documents, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the Government's budgetary proposals in advance of my presentation of the budget to this House on 4 December next.

Nor am I prepared at this time to outline the Government's spending proposals for the next year. I will announce the details of spending for next year on publication of the Abridged Estimates Volume on Thursday next, 14 November 2002.

As regards 2002, it remains my intention that total spending comes in on or close to the target increase of 14.4%. It is possible that certain Departments may, as part of their normal expen diture management process over the past two months of the year, make some adjustments to their spending to meet their targets but I have no specific proposals at present in this regard.