Ms Louise McGirr:

A couple of days before the budget, the non-core funding was expanded considerably to allow for extra funding for 2023. That was in recognition of the issues and challenges facing us next year. There is a need on all sides – it is a grey issue, not one that is black or white or on which people are right or wrong – to have trust and confidence that the expenditure is being used in the best places and in the best way and is delivering value for the public, and that we are maximising it and have appropriate controls. Equally, there is a need to see what happens with the inflationary environment and what kinds of savings and efficiencies can be achieved in procurement.