Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I come to specific subheads, at the end of November the Department's gross expenditure was behind profile by €115 million, with current expenditure at a figure of €87 million and capital expenditure at €28 million. This leaves approximately 24% of the original Estimate, before any Supplementary Estimate is considered, to be spent between now and the end of the year, or over 19 working days because this is a short working month.

Before we vote the Supplementary Estimate through, it is very important for us in considering it to have information on the areas in which expenditure is behind profile after 11 months. We are behind by a considerable sum which represents a considerable part of the Vote. Some 24% of the original Vote, plus the Supplementary Estimate, is to be spent between now and the end of the month. I ask for an explanation of this.

I have before me the published Supplementary Estimate. The Minister has stated the amount being sought from the Dáil is €104 million. The published Supplementary Estimate states the sum now required is €65 million. I know that the difference is the €39 million for ANAs.