Ray Butler (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister, Deputy Quinn, and his officials to the meeting. The Revised Estimates contains information on how money allocated to each programme will be spent in 2014, along with the Estimate for 2013; the number of staff assigned to work on each programme in 2014 and how this compares with the previous year; performance related information, including departmental key outputs and context and impact indicators for 2014, together with the corresponding information for 2013; and a summary of the appropriations-in-aid and administration expenditure for the Vote as a whole.

Consideration of the Revised Estimates provide us with an opportunity to review the targets set out and whether the distribution of moneys across the Vote is appropriate in all the circumstances and demonstrates best use of resources. The timetable for today's meeting has been circulated. It allows for a brief opening statement by the Minister, followed by discussion on each programme listed in the Revised Estimates. Is the timetable agreed? Agreed. I now invite the Minister to make his opening statement.