As a result of the policy of keeping tighter control of public expenditure, the rate of increase in gross spending this year is expected to moderate for the third year in a row. In 2003 gross spending is expected to increase by 7.6% over 2002. The corresponding annual increases for the previous two years were 14.4% and 20.7%, respectively. However, the outturn on gross spending is estimated to be higher than provided in the Revised Estimates by €340 million. The additional gross spending is offset by additional receipts from the health levy, moneys recouped from the United Kingdom for health services and higher PRSI income into the Social Insurance Fund, giving a forecasted net excess of €115 million.