Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme for a partnership Government lays the foundation for the new Government's ambition to build a strong economy and deliver a fair society. It is complemented by the policy principles set out in the agreement made with Fianna Fáil to facilitate the effective operation of the partnership Government. The programme contains a commitment to spend at least €6.75 billion more on public services by 2021 compared to 2016. This will allow expenditure to be increased to meet the additional costs arising from an ageing and growing population and to provide for targeted improvements in public services. In addition, the Government proposes a cumulative additional €4 billion in Exchequer capital investment up to 2021.

As stated in the programme, the new Government will ensure in respect of every policy challenge that a balance is struck between addressing urgent priorities by utilising the action plan framework set out in the programme document and engaging in long-term planning and thinking so that lasting solutions with broad-based support are implemented. In order to implement this approach effectively in practice, a key action for the Government's first 100 days is to secure agreement with the Oireachtas on putting in place a reformed budget process. This is intended to secure a more participatory approach underpinned by a substantially enhanced Dáil input into and feedback on the development of budgetary priorities. It is envisaged that an important element of this new model will be to facilitate appropriate consultation and engagement on the costings of specific measures intended to respond to particular programme for Government priorities, as well as examining how these measures align with overall fiscal parameters.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

In this regard and as part of the proposed new arrangements in respect of the budget process, which I announced with the Minister for Finance last week, it is proposed that the Government will publish a mid-year expenditure report. It is envisaged that this report will set out revised end-year outturns for 2016, outlining the impact of any additional expenditure on ministerial expenditure ceilings. This new approach will have a central role to play in guiding and informing deliberation by the Oireachtas on budgetary options and in shaping the Government's budgetary proposals in due course. These proposals would then form the basis for setting out the proposed departmental expenditure ceilings required to accommodate the specific measures to deliver the programme for Government priorities.

See this speech in context