Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think I gave it in my speech. I think we are just under €500 million ahead at the moment and at the end of the year will be nearly €1 billion ahead if things continue as they are now. It is back to the distinction between having money and having the capacity to spend it. The fact that it runs through does not change the fiscal space. The expenditure benchmark is in place so that we operate within fiscal parameters that are not entirely dependent on tax roll. Obviously, it is important. Money was committed in mid-June. For example, €500 million was given to the HSE. Obviously, that will need to be funded in 2016 and it will be. According to the forecasts we have we are in a pretty good position for 2016. We will meet our deficit targets and we will cover any commitments that have been made on the expenditure side. The budget will come in as designed.