Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 November 2013
11. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to any Supplementary Estimates that will be required for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49579/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe next question is about Supplementary Estimates. I would like the Minister to give us an indication of any such Estimates that may be coming down the tracks in the next few days.
The achievement of our expenditure targets is a key element of the required fiscal consolidation in 2013. To this end my Department is rigorously monitoring all current and capital expenditure, with Departments and offices reporting to us on expenditure issues from the Exchequer on a monthly basis.
The key points to note in relation to 2013 expenditure are that all Ministers and their Departments are closely involved in managing their expenditure; overall spending for the year to date is 2.3% under profile; and in aggregate, voted expenditure for 2013 will be on target. This means that we will achieve our 2013 fiscal targets.
At the end of October 2013, net total voted expenditure was €844 million within profile, as I have already indicated. Expenditure is being managed well within profile, although the figures indicate that there are some pressures in the justice group and health group of Votes. A Supplementary Estimate will be required in the justice group, primarily to deal with pressures relating to Garda pay, and also to allow for certain other additional expenditure including the first of the payments to the women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen laundries. The position on the health Estimate remains under review and the Department of Health is working to contain the level of the Supplementary Estimate needed.
A Supplementary Estimate will be required in respect of transport projects funded from the stimulus package I announced earlier this year. A small number of Supplementary Estimates will also be required to allow for some movement of financial allocations but which will be Exchequer neutral. While it remains a matter for each Minister and their Departments to ensure adherence to the Vote, my Department is in regular communication with line Departments about monitoring expenditure to ensure that any risks arising from overruns are addressed.
A Leas-Cheann Chomhairle, I appreciate the extra few minutes. We have confirmation today that there will be Supplementary Estimates in justice and health, although I do not know the amount involved. We are going to have a Supplementary Estimate in transport, and there is probably a good reason for that. We accept that extra money went to different projects during the year, and that was money well spent. There will probably be other Supplementary Estimates. Perhaps the Minister might be able to tell us how many such Estimates there will be in total.
In terms of requiring money, I have already indicated that the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Health will require Supplementary Estimates. There will be additional moneys in the stimulus package for the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as well as some technical adjustments whereby money is moved within Departments.
The issue of Supplementary Estimates is the norm. It is good practice, if priorities are reset during the year, for the line Minister to have the capacity to propose using the same amount of money approved by the House in a different way.
