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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 April 2017

Thursday, 13 April 2017

Ceisteanna (197, 200, 203, 206)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent of savings likely to be required in Departments in the course of the current years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18952/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied that expenditure and reform goals continue to be achieved throughout all Departments and subordinate agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18955/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of budgetary provisions affecting each Department; if he expects the original allocation to remain sufficient throughout 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18958/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has satisfied himself that expenditure overruns by all Departments barring exceptional circumstances are likely to be curtailed in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18961/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 200, 203 and 206 together.

Budget 2015 marked a key turning point when overall expenditure reductions were not required to meet our key fiscal targets. The improving fiscal conditions have allowed the Government to allocate additional resources towards emerging expenditure needs with prudent increases in gross voted expenditure of 3% on average in the three year period since the end of 2014.

The Government's commitment to prudent and sustainable spending increases means that a core issue over the coming period is to ensure that the available resources continue to be directed towards meeting emerging social and economic priorities to best effect. In this regard, work on the Spending Review is now underway. This review will systematically examine existing spending programmes over a 3 year cycle to assess their effectiveness in meeting policy objectives and also to identify the scope for re-allocating funding to meet expenditure priorities.

Managing the delivery of public services within Budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Department. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored against the published expenditure profiles and this information is published monthly, as part of the Department of Finance's Fiscal Monitor.

Based on the expenditure figures reported in the March Fiscal Monitor, no significant spending pressures are evident from the Quarter 1 position. Gross voted expenditure to end-March was €130 million (-0.9%) below profile. There is an additional cost of €0.12bn arising this year from the decision to bring forward to April, from September, a pay increase due under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. This cost is to be met from available public resources taking into account the scope for reallocation of expenditure, while also ensuring that core public services are not adversely impacted. The extent to which Departments are in a position to meet this additional cost will only be determined later in the year. The position will be closely monitored and Government will consider how best to meet any additional funding requirements where the need arises.

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