Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he remains satisfied of being able to continue to meet the targets set by him in the context of spending and reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his priorities in order to achieve best economic practice for Ireland in the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10946/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the extent to which reforms throughout the public sector are likely to yield improved economic performance in 2019 has been quantified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10947/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 175 and 176 together.
Managing the delivery of public services within allocations and meeting our budgetary targets forms a key part of the responsibilities of every Minister and Department. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is in regular contact with all other Departments and Offices to ensure that expenditure is being managed within the overall fiscal parameters. The drawdown of funds from the Exchequer is reported on each month against expenditure profiles, in the Fiscal Monitor published by the Department of Finance.
As set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, total gross voted expenditure at end-February 2019 was €9,787 million. This is €141 million, or 1.4% below profile. Gross voted current expenditure of €9,286 million, is €60 million, or 0.6% below profile. Of the 17 Vote Ministerial Vote groups, 12 are below profile on current expenditure for end-February. Gross voted capital expenditure of €501 million, is €81 million, or 14% below profile and up €66 million, or 15.1% on February 2018.
A number of budgetary reforms have been implemented in the last number of years to improve transparency and accountability around the Budget process, while also facilitating best economic practice. This includes initiatives such as performance and equality budgeting and new publications such as the Mid-Year Expenditure Report. Sound public finances are necessary to underpin sustainable economic growth in the context of our economic recovery and to progress towards our social and economic goals. This requires effective and efficient management of overall expenditure. To support this goal, my Department has been engaging with a range of Departments on year three of the Spending Review process, with a view to reinforcing a systematic analysis of existing spending programmes, focusing on an assessment of efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.
In addition to this, the third Public Service Performance Report will be published in quarter 2. This report aims to strengthen focus on what is being delivered with public funds. Performance targets are published in the Revised Estimates Volume each year. The Performance Report provides timely quantitative performance data to help to enhance the focus on performance and delivery by presenting relevant performance indicators in a dedicated, focused document.
