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Presentation of Estimates.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2004

Thursday, 14 October 2004

Ceisteanna (17)

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

16 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to introduce changes in the presentation of Estimates in 2005. [24598/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have no plans to change the way the Estimates are presented and approved for 2005 but I will be considering this issue further at a later date.

The Government's spending proposals are outlined in the two Estimates volumes. They are presented to Dáil Éireann in accordance with its Standing Orders. The pre-budget or Abridged Estimates volume, AEV, is presented to Dáil Éireann approximately two weeks before budget day. This year, the presentation date will be 18 November. For the past two years the AEV has been debated in the Dáil very soon after publication. There is also scope for discussion in the House of the Government's expenditure proposals in the debate on the budget. In this way Deputies are afforded the opportunity of commenting on the Government's expenditure plans in advance.

The post-budget or Revised Estimates volume, REV, is normally presented to the Dáil within eight weeks of the start of the fiscal year to which it relates. The Estimates by departmental Vote are then subject to full scrutiny by the relevant Oireachtas committee, which notifies the Dáil of its consideration. It is then up to the Dáil to approve or reject the Estimates.

I am open to considering future changes and will be doing so in the general context of a pilot project underway to examine ways of improving the links between departmental strategy statements, business planning and resource allocation and outputs. The pilot project is progressing under the aegis of my Department and involves the Departments of Agriculture and Food, Social and Family Affairs and Transport as pilot Departments. When the report of the pilot project is finalised the results will be evaluated and considered by Government.

The core of the issue is to consider putting in place at the outset of a financial year an integrated business and resource plan for each area of Government, and at the end of the year an annual report and accounts. The existing approach of producing separate Estimates, strategy statements, annual reports and appropriation accounts is unsatisfactory.

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