Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 December 2012
111. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the underspend of €8 million, €3 million current and €8 million capital, against profile at the end of November; the steps being taken to ensure no underspend at the end of the year in view of the number of groups seeking money from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56119/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraGross expenditure for my Department on November 30th 2012 totalled €234.5m, which is on target at 97% of profile. This represents approximately 87% of the total REV allocation for the year. Current expenditure accounted for just over €204.1m of this total (99% of profile), while capital expenditure accounted for €30.4m (86% of profile).
Current expenditure is a little over €2m behind profile, which is a 1% variance against profile. Capital spending is approximately €5m behind profile, primarily due to certain capital projects progressing at a slightly slower rate than was anticipated. My Department has sought capital carryover of €1.2m into 2013 in respect of the heritage area. However, I expect, as with last year, that close to my Department's full programme provision will be utilised and no significant surpluses or deficits are envisaged.
I am very committed to ensuring that the maximum value is derived from my Department's budget in terms of maintaining, promoting and protecting Ireland’s heritage and culture, developing cultural tourism, advancing the use of the Irish language, and supporting the sustainable development of the islands. This is reflected in the fact that, in 2011, excluding Departmental administration, my Department expended approximately 99.76% of its available programme funding.
I will, of course, continue to closely monitor expenditure trends across all my Department’s subheads in the lead up to year-end to ensure the greatest possible use of the resources available.
