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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2018

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Ceisteanna (22)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

22. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on whether departmental Estimates of expenditure in budget 2018 are adequate to meet the likely needs of all Departments over the coming 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4071/18]

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Freagraí scríofa

Throughout the year, managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister. There are measures in place to ensure that budgetary targets are being met.  Monthly expenditure profiles are published and the drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is monitored and reported on against these profiles on a monthly basis in the Exchequer Statement.

As set out in the most recent Exchequer Statement, total gross Voted Expenditure at end-February 2018 was €9,062 million. This is €167 million, or 1.8%, below profile and an increase of €396 million, or 4.6%, on the same period in 2017. Of this, gross voted current expenditure accounts for €8,626 million, which is €83 million, or 1%, below profile and an increase of €406 million, or 4.9% on the same period in 2017. The full year increase in current spending for 2018 is estimated at 3.6%. Gross voted capital expenditure accounts for €435 million, which is €83 million, or 16.1%, below profile and a decrease of €10 million, or 2.2% on February 2017. The full year REV allocation for capital spending provides for an increase of c. 26% compared to the estimated outturn for 2017.  

2018 is the fourth consecutive year in which the Government have been able to provide for an increase in spending on public services. Given this context, it is crucial that this growth is managed in a sustainable manner within agreed allocations. However, given the scale of overall voted expenditure, almost €61 billion in aggregate for 2018, and the impact that unforeseen events, such as for example, Storm Emma, can have on expenditure requirements in certain areas, my Department is in regular contact with all Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters.

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