Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Lahart for raising the question on behalf of our colleague, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan. The Revised Estimates for Public Services 2021 outlined an overall Government expenditure ceiling of €87.8 billion. This provided for both an increase in the core expenditure allocations to Departments and for almost €12 billion in funding to respond to Covid-19 and Brexit.

In 2021 to date, Covid-19 has continued to pose a huge challenge for society and continued measures have been necessary to support our people, businesses and the delivery of public services. Within the overall expenditure ceiling, €5.4 billion was set aside in reserve to be used as required during the year for temporary targeted measures to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19. This reserve was partially utilised to fund the extension of the PUP and the employment wage subsidy scheme to the end of June. In this regard, and including expenditure of the Social Insurance Fund, the further Revised Estimate for the Department of Social Protection, presented to Dáil Éireann recently, reflects additional gross expenditure of €4 billion. In addition to this, further Departmental Estimates will be presented to the Dáil in due course, reflecting the various measures set out in the national economic recovery plan.

Given the exceptional level of funding being provided this year, careful monitoring of spending against profile and progress on programmes and projects is required. It is a key responsibility of every Department and Minister to manage expenditure within their respective allocations. During 2021, the main spending Departments will be reporting to government quarterly on their respective areas.

Based on departmental Estimates presented to the Dáil to date and as set out in the most recent Fiscal Monitor, total gross voted expenditure to the end of May amounted to nearly €33 billion. While this is nearly €1.5 billion ahead of the same period in 2020, the public health restrictions in place this year have impacted on spending plans of Departments. Accordingly, gross voted expenditure is running almost €1.4 billion or 4% below profile at the present time.

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