Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last year, social protection had lower than anticipated expenditure. That was €300 million, so it was €300 million of a clawback and this year, it was €500 million. I cannot get a satisfactory explanation as to how the figure of €500 million was come at. We just have not had an explanation as to why it changed. Last year it changed by €300 million and there was a specific reason for it. There has not been a specific reason this year other than in general engagement with the Departments. How is that communicated to the Ministers then in terms of the ELS? Do they find out like everybody else on budget day or do they already know in advance what the ELS will be?