Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 February 2015
27. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Government’s proposed spring statement will outline its current and capital expenditure plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5778/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2014, my Department carried out the second Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. The purpose of this exercise was to establish the Government's expenditure priorities for the coming years, and to then allocate expenditure ceilings across Government Departments accordingly. This process, which involved engagement with the public and other Government Departments, culminated in the publication of the Comprehensive Expenditure Report on Budget day setting out the multi-annual current and capital expenditure ceilings for all Vote Groups over the period 2015 to 2017.
The publication of multi-annual expenditure ceilings sets the parameters for Government expenditure over a rolling three-year period, and facilitates a whole of year approach towards the budgetary process that allows for constructive discussion on how resources should be prioritised over the medium term. Decisions in relation to specific new budgetary measures would then fall to be considered in the context of the annual Budget in light of the most up to date fiscal and economic data.
This Spring, in addition to the usual publication of the Stability Programme Update in line with our European commitments, it is proposed that the Government publish a Spring Economic Statement. Such a publication would help to develop the domestic whole of year budgetary framework by providing a clear separate point in the year for a statement of national fiscal policy.
As Ireland is set to leave the Excessive Deficit Procedure at the end of 2015 and enter the preventive arm of the Stability and Growth Pact, the Spring Economic Statement would provide the opportunity to set out how Ireland's fiscal policy post EDP will progress the Government's key economic and social objectives, while at the same time living within the parameters as set out under the revised framework of EU fiscal rules.
