Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 514: To ask the Minister for Finance the level of the national debt; the expected level of the national debt as of 31 December 2010, 31 December 2011 and 31 December 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33716/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Debt is defined as the total outstanding amount of principal borrowed by Central Government and not repaid to date less liquid assets available for redemption of those liabilities at the same date. The National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) advise that the national debt was €75.2 billion at end-2009 and was €87.2 billion at end-August 2010.

Based on the estimated Exchequer Borrowing Requirements for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012 contained in Budget 2010, the national debt estimates for end-2010, end-2011 and end-2012 are €94 billion, €112 billion and €127 billion respectively. These projections are currently being revised by my Department in the context of the publication of the Pre-Budget Outlook in the second half of October.