Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy asked if important matters of advances in education and health, which he claims are cock-and-bull, will not be implemented. It is the Government's wish over the period, within the resources we have, to implement these programmes. We have set our budgets for this year. Tax revenue is down and I gave the figures on this last week based on the two-monthly tax take projection. This morning I gave our view on the national development plan. We will continue to implement this year's policies and frameworks as outlined in the budget.

I have made it clear additional resources will not be available this year for Departments to go outside their Estimates. It will be a year of ensuring line Departments stay within the Estimates. The Minister for Finance said he may need tighter control on the Estimates during the year.

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