Seanad debates

Thursday, 12 December 2002

Appropriation Bill, 2002 [Certified Money Bill]: Second and Subsequent Stages.

 

Photo of Jim WalshJim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Senator Mansergh's point, that it is extraordinary – particularly in light of many of the prognostications of various commentators over the year about the way it was running well ahead of estimates – that public expenditure will come in pretty much on target is well made. That is a fair achievement, given the current situation and the fact that, as Senators Higgins and Mansergh stated, that an election was held in June. At elections, politicians usually tend to be more liberal in their spending than would otherwise be the case.

Since 1997 there has been a significant increase in public expenditure, across the range of Departments and public services. Much of that additional expenditure was required. Health spending has increased by in excess of 120% and education spending has increased by in excess of 70%. There have been significant increases is social welfare spending to the disadvantaged sector of the economy. There has been increased investment in infrastructure, which was badly needed as a result of the deficit in this area. Investment has increased across the board.

I understand why Senator Higgins and others – who are probably haunted by the ghosts of the 1980s when the profligacy of the relevant Government doubled the national debt from £12 billion to £24 billion – are homing in on this particular topic. I support what Senator McDowell said regarding value for money. In many instances we may be getting value for money, but across a range of services we are not getting it.

Anybody who has worked in the private sector will recognise that that in a large or small organisation – the larger the organisation, the more pronounced the problem – the issue of waste inextricably enters the framework of expenditure. The element of competition in the private sector forces people to address that issue from time to time.

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