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

As set out in the most recent fiscal monitor, total gross voted expenditure at the end of May was just over €26 billion. This is €145 million, or 0.6%, below profile. Gross voted current expenditure is €65 million below profile. Of the 17 ministerial Vote groups, 12 are below profile on current expenditure. Gross voted capital expenditure was also below profile at the end of May. At the moment, the figures for both current and capital expenditure are below profile but it should be said that this still represents a very large increase in overall Government expenditure for the year, much of which is driven by our increased investment in capital expenditure, including expenditure on schools, hospitals, roads, and buses. I have already acknowledged, as has the Minister, Deputy Harris, that the key area that changed in May was that of health expenditure. While it is still below profile, there was a significant change in that single month.

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