Results 9,721-9,740 of 9,919 for speaker:Jack Chambers

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: We made decisions relating to €3.3 billion of it.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: No, we made a decision and that was reflected in the SES.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: That still has to be allocated across different Departments.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: It is, right now.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: A significant element of this relates to capital and that is corrected in the new capital ceilings we have established on a multi-annual basis. That is one significant element of it. That is why, in the budgetary engagement we are having, there are certain parts of government where the levels and rate of expenditure exceed the parameters that are set. That is why reform has to take place-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I do. That is why, in the medium-term fiscal and structural plan, slowing the rate of expenditure growth and having it much closer aligned to what is set out on budget day is my objective, as Minister for public expenditure. I take that responsibility seriously.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I am conscious of that ask. I have actually met with the union. That is part of the engagement we are having with the Minister for communications. We have not yet agreed any expenditure for next year, until that is agreed by the Government. However, I am conscious of the pressure faced by postmasters. That is a matter of consideration.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: Some of what relates to regional airports, particularly in connection to Shannon, relates to capital expenditure. Part of what the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will set out as part of his sectoral investment plan is how aviation and the regional airports programme interacts with that as part of the five-year strategy. The aviation division of the Department of Transport is conscious of what...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I thank the Deputy. On that issue, similar to my last answer, we are engaging with the Department of education on the priorities as part of budget 2026. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is conscious of concerns reflected in the school community around capitation. There is ongoing engagement on what will be possible. We have not made any decisions yet. I take note of the Deputy's request.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: On the Deputy's last point, if we look at capital investment in housing, it is the single biggest focus as part of the review of the national development plan. A total of €36 billion, nearly one in every three euro, is going to support social and affordable housing, and other areas in terms of water infrastructure. There is also investment in other areas of infrastructure, which will...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: We should standardise a lot more across Government, whether it is in education, health or transport. That would help to better anchor cost control and I would support that.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ethics in Public Office (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I can assure the Deputy that reform of the Ethics legislation is a priority for both myself and my ministerial colleagues and we have committed as much in our Programme for Government. This is, nevertheless, a very complex area that requires careful consideration before I finalise the concrete details of proposals for legislative reform. My Department has already prepared the ground by...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Tax Data (24 Sep 2025)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 to 38, inclusive, together. The Summer Economic Statement (“SES”) published in July this year set out the parameters for Budget 2026. €116.6 billion will be made available next year. This reflects a total uplift of €7.9 billion of which €5.9 billion will be for current expenditure and an additional €2 billion...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The Summer Economic Statement (SES) was published on 22nd July. This document sets out the Governments overall fiscal parameters for Budget 2026. As outlined in the SES, an overall budgetary package of €9.4 billion has been agreed for Budget 2026. This comprises €7.9 billion in expenditure measures and €1.5 billion in taxation measures, reflecting our continued commitment...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gaeltacht Policy (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The recently published review of the National Development Plan (NDP) outlines the principal capital expenditure ceilings for the period 2026–2030. It is the most ambitious investment framework in the history of the Irish State, with €102.4 billion earmarked for capital spending. Each Government Department is now charged with the responsibility of formulating sector-specific and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Gaeltacht Policy (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: In the initial draft of the NDP review, some department names were those used before the recent transfer of functions. This has now been corrected, and the online version of the review shows the accurate and most up-to-date department names.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Budget 2026 (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: In 2021, the Government agreed a Well-being Framework for Ireland. This Framework consists of eleven dimensions which constitute the different aspects of well-being and contributes to the development of a holistic view of how Irish society is faring and informs government policy making and the budgetary process. The Well-being Framework is supported by a Well-being Information Hub...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The information requested by the Deputy seeking the amount spent by my Department on external legal fees is as follows: Year List the total annual expenditure on external legal fees 2021 €525,505 2022 €76,314 2023 €108,446 2024 €167,018 ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: I propose to take Questions Nos. 780 to 782, inclusive, together. Individual Accounting Officers are responsible for ensuring that their public procurement functions are discharged in line with the standard accounting and procurement rules and procedures and are accountable for expenditure incurred to deliver maximum value for money for the taxpayer. It is the responsibility of Individual...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Cases (29 Jul 2025)

Jack Chambers: The information sought by the Deputy in respect of my Department is as follows: Year List the amount spent on legal fees associated with litigation, advice and settlements 2022 €76,314 2023 €108,446 2024 €167,018 2025 (to date) €31,968 ...