Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We now have the volume of Revised Estimates for the following year in December. We would like to see the select committees then considering the Estimates as early as possible in the year. I remember when I was first elected, we dealt with Estimates months into the year to which they related and I questioned the relevance of it. Committees only consider the Estimates and do not vote on them because that is a matter for the Dáil as a collective but I think it is important for committees to consider Estimates as early as possible in the calendar year. That is important.

We then have the SPU in April and the summer economic statement, which is normally around June. The mid-year expenditure report gives an update on the Department's estimate of where expenditure stands and is likely to go at the midpoint of the year, as well as taking into account the multi-annual ceilings. We will publish a mid-year expenditure report this year in the normal way because, as I acknowledged earlier, that did not happen during the pandemic in 2020. A considerable amount of information is available but if the committee has any specific suggestions as to how we could bring things forward, we will certainly consider them and my Department will help in any way it can to provide information to the members of the committee.