Written answers

Wednesday, 4 June 2008

Department of Finance

National Development Plan

10:00 pm

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 146: To ask the Minister for Finance the additional current expenditure required in 2009 to 2012 over and above the cost of maintaining existing services to deliver the commitments of the National Development Plan. [21865/08]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The National Development Plan 2007-2013 (NDP) sets out a seven year financial framework within which Government Departments and agencies could plan the delivery of public investment and expenditure, including existing levels of service and enhancements of service. The great bulk of projected NDP investment comes from the Exchequer and this is particularly true of current expenditure. Statutory approval for Exchequer expenditure under the NDP can only be conveyed through the approval by the Dail of the annual estimates.

As the Deputy is aware, the first instalment of the delivery of NDP current expenditure took place in the Estimates approved by the Dail for 2007. The second instalment of NDP current expenditure was included in Budget 2008 last December. Budget 2008 announced all new spending and taxation measures in a single, unified way and was a significant reform providing for greater transparency. The costs associated with the decisions made were set out at Budget time. Full details of NDP projected expenditure for 2007 and 2008 (both current and capital) were set out in Appendix 3 of the Revised Estimates Volumes for 2007 and 2008. The first Annual Report on NDP Implementation, covering 2007, will shortly be submitted to the Oireachtas.

As previously indicated, further instalments for the NDP will be made in the subsequent Budgets over the lifetime of this Government. The Stability and Growth Pact Up-date for 2007 to 2010 was set out in the Budget Booklet published in December 2007. This gives detailed data on the economic and fiscal projections for the period ahead and also provides relevant data on the NDP to which the Deputy might wish to refer.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.