Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
355. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the figure provided by her Department to maintain existing levels of service in 2024, under her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [51185/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the annual budgetary process, the Department engages with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, to agree the level of expenditure required to carry out existing functions in the following year, prior to the introduction of any new Budget measures. This is referred to as the "Existing Level of Service" (ELS). ELS funding provides for the maintenance of services and schemes into the following year on a 'no policy change' basis.
The agreed level of ELS funding for the Department in 2024 is €24.1 billion. This will be added to Budget 2024 measures to total to the Revised Estimate Volume for 2024. A full breakdown of the estimated expenditure in 2024 will be published as part of the Revised Estimates process in December.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
