Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 June 2024

Committee on Budgetary Oversight

Fiscal Assessment Report: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council

5:30 pm

Professor Michael McMahon:

Yes, I will start at the end. Our estimate is now approaching €1.7 billion, at €1.69 billion. Some of that will be accounted for with the higher pay - an estimated €150 million - and there is some set aside in the pay deal, so some of that will be covered elsewhere. However, that is a significant overrun. The choice of language in the report, and our language even after the last budget, reflect the fact that we did not get any reason to feel comforted by the budgeting that was done.