Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
326. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the figure provided by his Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under his respective remits ahead of budget 2024; the figure granted by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51182/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant part of the annual budgetary process is determining the amount of funding required carry out existing functions and Government commitments before any new decisions are taken. This is referred to as the ‘Existing Level of Service’ or ELS. ELS funding provides provision for the maintenance of our existing services and schemes and is a significant part of the additional expenditure funding allocated each year, delivering additional investment in public services, through for example providing existing schemes to a growing number of people, and investment in the public service workforce.
As set out in Chapter 12 of the Budget 2024 Expenditure Report (available at the following link gov.ie - Budget 2024: Expenditure Reports (www.gov.ie), the total Gross allocation for the Housing, Local Government & Heritage Vote Group in 2024 is over €6.9 billion.
The funding provided reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing a wide range of housing needs, as well as delivering on the objectives of the Housing for All, Town Centre First and National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040. Funding will support the key areas of water services, local government, heritage, planning and Met Éireann, as well as Tailte Éireann and An Coimisiún Toghcháin.
In relation to Current expenditure, €3.05 billion in core expenditure has been provided for next year, representing an increase of 6.1% on the 2023 allocation provided in the Revised Estimates for Public Services. Of this increase, €165m relates to ELS costs and is reflective of the cumulative transformational measures introduced in recent years to enhance the delivery of services in real terms.
An extra €353 million in capital expenditure over the 2023 NDP ceiling is being allocated to the Vote Group under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in 2024. This equates to nearly €3.9 billion in Capital expenditure to support the continued delivery of Housing for All targets, transformational change in Water Service provision and other key initiatives.
This funding is particularly important for my Department as the delivery of housing, related infrastructure and associated reform of the planning system continues to be a critical priority for this Government. Indeed, housing, water services, local government, planning and heritage services have been subject to continuous, cumulative and mutually reinforcing transformation initiatives in recent years, which are now accelerating to maturity.
