Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The delivery of the required expenditure consolidation to achieve our fiscal targets in 2013 is a priority for Ministers and their Departments. My Department is working with all Departments and offices to monitor all current and capital spending on a monthly basis.

At the end of October, net voted expenditure was €844 million within profile. That means it was less than we expected to spend by the end of last month. This highlights that, notwithstanding pressures in some areas, the aggregate expenditure is being managed well within the targets for the year. The figures at the end of October indicate that there are current expenditure pressures in the justice and health groups of Votes. A Supplementary Estimate of just over €51 million will be required for the justice area, largely in respect of Garda pay. There is also €5 million for the Magdalen laundries issue, but savings will be made in the justice Vote. The position in the health sector is under review and my Department is working with the Department of Health to ascertain the scale of any Supplementary Estimate required. Based on the position at the end of October, it is anticipated that any overruns in the health and justice Votes can be met from savings elsewhere across the Government and will not have a negative impact on the Government’s aggregate end of year expenditure position. Savings across all profiles will be utilised so we will be within the voted spend.

The expenditure report published on 15 October outlined the expenditure measures required to be implemented in 2014 to meet the fiscal targets for 2014. My Department is currently working with Departments and offices with a view to publishing the detailed Revised Estimates volume for 2014 in early December. The ongoing review and monitoring by my Department, and the commitment of Ministers and their Departments to manage within their allocations, has ensured that we continue to be in a position to meet our fiscal targets.

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