Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have concerns. particularly as I am dealing with old age pensioners who tell me that they cannot afford to pay their ESB bills. I appreciate the Minister’s answer, however.

Recommendation 12 of the Pre-Stability Programme Update Report 2023 states: "that the Government clarify the position of expenditure from the National Reserve Fund, and any other such funds, as part of the fiscal rules.” The Minister mentioned a scoping paper. I was hoping that he might be able to expand on what he said in that regard. I really want to know what the is meant by focused national reserve fund and how is that different from the National Reserve Fund? Deputy Nash also touched on the National Reserve Fund. What sort of rules are we expecting with regard to expenditure from the National Reserve Fund? We often hear this fund referred to as the rainy day fund but with regard to the cost-of-living and housing crises we currently have; is this now not the rainy day fund scenario? Perhaps the Minister might elaborate on that.